Bakersfield Police Negotiate Hostage Situation at Chase Bank
Police were locked in negotiations Tuesday night with a man who had taken hostages inside a building that houses a Chase bank branch and a school district office in Bakersfield, officials said.
Officers responding to a call of a bomb threat arrived at the Chase Bank building in downtown Bakersfield around 1 p.m., and discovered the suspect had barricaded himself inside, holding several community members. The Bakersfield Police Department said it had reacted promptly and established a perimeter.
Through negotiations, two of the hostages were released and the rest are in “good health,” city police Sergeant Eric Celedon said. He added, “We have every single resource at our disposal out here to bring this to the safest resolution possible.”
Nearby buildings were evacuated, including city hall and the police headquarters, and some roads were temporarily closed. The department’s crisis negotiation team was in contact with the suspect by telephone. About a dozen police cars, one tactical vehicle, and multiple emergency responders were on scene, while FBI agents were present as well.
Bakersfield Mayor Karen Goh said she is closely monitoring the situation and urged the public to avoid the area. She added, “The best way the public can help at this time is by staying away from the area and allowing law‑enforcement officers, negotiators, and other trained professionals the space to safely carry out their duties.”
Local livestreamer Jacob Davidson, known as Dad’s Gone Live, was on the curb outside the bank watching the police response. He described the scene as “the biggest police presence I’ve ever seen in this town” and noted the trauma tents set up within the deployment area.
The incident remains ongoing, with authorities continuing to negotiate while law‑enforcement ensures public safety. Residents are advised to stay clear and follow official updates from the Bakersfield Police Department.
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