US, Bakersfield: Bakersfield Hostages Freed Following Bomb Threat At Bank Part 1.

Bakersfield, United States - June 03, 2026 06/03/2026 12:00 am GMT-0700 BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – Just before 5 a.m. Key News Video captured what appears to have been about seven hostages with armed SWAT agents, leaving the Chase Bank where the situation unfolded. A 13-hour hostage standoff at a Chase Bank near 17th Street and Chester Avenue appears to have ended with the suspect taken into custody, according to witnesses who said they saw FBI agents escorting him from the bank in handcuffs. The incident began at 1:01 p.m. on Tuesday when calls came in reporting that a suspect had entered the bank with what was described as a bomb strapped to his chest and a detonator in his hand. Initial reports indicated the device was equipped with a deadman switch. Multiple people were able to flee the bank, while others remained inside as hostages. The suspect reportedly demanded to speak with FBI negotiators regarding a pending case. According to initial unconfirmed information gathered at the scene, he told authorities he did not trust the Bakersfield Police Department or the Kern County Sheriff’s Office. Throughout the standoff, the suspect was reportedly releasing hostages one at a time as negotiations continued. Reports from the scene also indicated that wires were wrapped around the ankles of at least one hostage inside the bank. After negotiations stretched into the early morning hours of Wednesday, witnesses reported seeing FBI agents escort the suspect from the bank in handcuffs. Authorities had not immediately released additional details about the suspect’s condition or the status of the reported explosive device. Law enforcement agencies remained on scene as the investigation continued.