Police: Suspect died in “officer-involved shooting involving FBI personnel”
A man who held several people hostage overnight inside a Chase Bank in Bakersfield was shot dead by FBI operatives Wednesday, ending a tense standoff that began with a bomb threat.
The suspect was killed in “an officer-involved shooting involving Federal Bureau of Investigation personnel,” the Bakersfield Police Department said.
—18-hour siege ends with no hostage casualties—
The suspect barricaded himself with several others inside the multistory Chase Bank building on Tuesday, about 110 miles north of Los Angeles.
Police responded at around 13:00 PST after calls of a bomb threat and reports of a man holding people inside.
Two hostages were released Tuesday during negotiations. The remaining hostages were released unharmed Wednesday after the fatal shooting.
“Every single resource is at the site’s disposal,” Bakersfield Police Sergeant Eric Celedon told reporters Tuesday. “SWAT team, bomb squad, K9 team, gang unit, negotiators, drone team. Every single asset we have to bring this to the safest conclusion is out here right now.”
Members of the FBI’s Hostage Rescue Team were on the scene, according to CNN.
—City locked down during crisis—
Bakersfield City Hall, the local police headquarters, nearby buildings and multiple roads were closed during the hostage situation as the negotiation team contacted the suspect via telephone.
Representatives for Chase Bank said the branch was empty and they were working with authorities. Bakersfield mayor Karen Goh said she was monitoring the situation throughout the crisis. (Culled from BBC)
