Suspect in California standoff dead, hostages freed
A man who took several people hostage at a California bank building is dead and all hostages have been freed, police said Wednesday following a roughly 15-hour standoff.
The suspect had barricaded himself inside the building on Chester Avenue and 17th Street around 1 p.m. local time on Tuesday, prompting a massive law enforcement response that involved crisis negotiators and the FBI.
He was pronounced dead at the scene following an officer-involved shooting with FBI personnel, Bakersfield police said in a statement.
The suspect had taken “several community members” hostage. Two of the hostages were released on Tuesday. The rest were found in the building unharmed and received medical care at the scene.
It was not immediately clear how many people had been taken hostage. The investigation remains ongoing, police said.
