United States of America

FBI Shoots and Kills Suspect in California Hostage Standoff

Did the Bakersfield standoff end thanks to skilled negotiations or decisive deadly force?

Published JUN 3

FBI Shoots and Kills Suspect in California Hostage Standoff

Story

Above: A view near a bank branch in Bakersfield, California, on June 3. Image credit: Jon Putman/Contributor/Anadolu/Getty Images

The Facts

A hostage standoff at a Chase Bank building in downtown Bakersfield, California, that began on Tuesday ended Wednesday morning when the FBI fatally shot the suspect, resulting in the release of all hostages. The suspect, 41-year-old Anthony Scott Searles-Harris, was alleged by authorities to have had a violent criminal history, was a registered sex offender and had been discharged from the Army after going AWOL in 2006-07.
ABC News
The Washington Times
The FBI assumed control of the scene late Tuesday and its Hostage Rescue Team was present. Negotiators secured the release of a first hostage around 5 p.m. and a second around 9 p.m. local time, before ongoing negotiations reportedly faltered.
CNN
Fox17-West Michigan
NBC
Los Angeles Times
The Washington Times
Police said that Searles-Harris appeared to have explosives strapped to his body as well as to hostages. Authorities did not confirm whether an explosive device had been verified, and no injuries or fatalities were reported.
The Washington Examiner
NBC
The FBI said the decision to breach came after concluding a diabetic hostage faced a "loss of life situation" if they waited longer, and after Searles-Harris's behavior led trained personnel to conclude the situation could no longer wait.
ABC News
FOX News
The Chase Bank building at Chester Avenue and 17th Street also houses a student services center for the Kern County superintendent of schools. A JPMorgan Chase spokesperson said the branch on the ground floor was empty.
ABC7 Los Angeles
FOX News
City Hall, police headquarters and several other government buildings were placed on lockdown as a precaution, while a large section of downtown Bakersfield was closed off.
guardian
New York Post

Sources Split

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The Spin

Narrative A

Thankfully, the Bakersfield standoff ended with the hostages saved and the suspect neutralized after a horrifying ordeal. FBI SWAT units and hostage negotiators played a key role in ensuring that a volatile standoff didn't end in a much worse situation. This is an example of an effective, high-stakes law enforcement operation.

IRT Media on X

FOX News on X

Narrative B

With this horrifying standoff now resolved, attention turns to uncovering the motives and capabilities of the deceased suspect, Anthony Scott Searles-Harris. The dynamics of his prior convictions and military discharge, and his reported intent to use Improvised Explosive Devices, will be investigated in detail in the days and weeks ahead.