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A standoff involving a man who allegedly made bomb threats at a Chase Bank in downtown Bakersfield, California, continued into Wednesday morning as negotiators worked to secure the release of people still inside the building.
The Bakersfield Police Department said two hostages had been safely released and that all remaining individuals were in good health as of Tuesday evening.
Police said officers responded shortly after 1 p.m. to a reported bomb threat at the Chase Bank near Chester Avenue and 17th Street.
During a briefing with reporters, Bakersfield Police Sgt. Eric Celedon said authorities learned that an unidentified man entered the bank and remained inside with an unknown number of community members.
Police later clarified that the building houses both a Chase Bank branch and a school district office.
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The Chase Bank building near Chester Avenue and 17th Street in downtown Bakersfield, California. Police responded to a reported bomb threat Tuesday and negotiated the release of one person as authorities worked to resolve an ongoing standoff. (Google Maps)
“What I can guarantee the community right now is that every single resource is at the site’s disposal,” Celedon said, adding that SWAT officers, bomb squad personnel, K-9 teams, negotiators and drone operators had been deployed to the scene.
In a post on X, the department described the incident as a “confirmed bomb threat” and urged residents to avoid the downtown area, warning that road closures would remain in effect until further notice.
According to local station KBAK, authorities believe the suspect may have had a bomb strapped to his body and had barricaded himself inside the building with several people.
Police established a perimeter around a Chase Bank building in downtown Bakersfield, California, after reports of a bomb threat and ongoing standoff involving a barricaded suspect. (KBAK)
The station reported that one person was safely released before 5 p.m. following negotiations involving Bakersfield police and the FBI’s negotiation team.
“At this time, everybody else still remains inside the building, and everybody else still remains in good health,” Celedon said.
Law enforcement officers responded to a reported bomb threat at a Chase Bank in downtown Bakersfield, California, where negotiators worked to resolve an ongoing standoff involving a suspect inside the building. (KBAK)
Jason Pack, a retired FBI supervisory special agent, told Fox News Digital that the fact negotiators remain in communication with the suspect is a significant development.
“As long as communication is open, you have options,” Pack said.
Pack noted that suspects who introduce real or alleged explosive devices often do so to gain leverage rather than immediately carry out an attack, adding that negotiators are typically focused on understanding a suspect’s demands and creating opportunities to secure the release of additional people.
“The FBI has confirmed it is aware of the situation and sending assistance,” he said. “Any bomb threat at a financial institution triggers federal jurisdiction automatically, which means Bakersfield PD and the FBI are coordinating closely.”
Authorities said the department’s crisis negotiation team remains in contact with the suspect by telephone, while FBI agents have joined local officers at the scene.
KBAK reported that several city buildings, including City Hall North, City Hall South, the Development Services Building and Bakersfield Police Headquarters, were placed on lockdown as a precaution due to the nearby incident.
A spokesperson for JPMorgan Chase told The Associated Press that the bank branch is located on the ground floor of the building and is currently empty as the company works with authorities.
In a statement obtained by the outlet, Bakersfield Mayor Karen Goh said city officials were closely monitoring the situation and thanked law enforcement personnel for their response.
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“We continue to closely monitor the situation unfolding in our city and remain concerned for the safety and well-being of everyone involved,” Goh said.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the office of Mayor Karen Goh for additional comment.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
