Man who took 10 hostages in hours-long 'bomb' standoff at Bakersfield bank is shot dead
The FBI stormed a building in Bakersfield, California, to end a nearly 16-hour standoff during which the suspect had tied up hostages and claimed he strapped explosives to them and himself
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Anthony Scott Searles-Harris was shot and killed by authorities around 4:20 a.m. on June 3, 2026.
"Anthony Scott Searles-Harris, 41, was shot and killed around 4:20 a.m., according to Sid Patel, special agent in charge in the FBI's Sacramento office."
The devices Searles-Harris claimed were explosives do not appear to be a concern according to the FBI after testing.
"Authorities were testing the devices that Searles-Harris said were explosives, but Patel said they do not appear to be a concern."
The hostages were found unharmed inside the building.
"The hostages - employees of the Kern County Superintendent of Schools - were found unharmed inside the building that also houses a Chase bank, said Bakersfield Assistant Police Chief Jeremy Blakemore."
Anthony Scott Searles-Harris was an Army veteran who was dishonorably discharged and a registered sex offender.
"Authorities said he was an Army veteran who was dishonorably discharged, had a history of trouble with law enforcement and was a registered sex offender."
Searles-Harris claimed he had strapped explosives to himself and hostages during the standoff.
"Authorities stormed the building in Bakersfield, California, overnight, ending a nearly 16-hour standoff during which the suspect tied up half the hostages and also said he had put explosives on them and himself, police said."
Anthony Scott Searles-Harris took 10 school employees hostage in Bakersfield, California.
"A man has been shot dead after taking 10 school employees hostage and claiming he had strapped explosives to himself."
Authorities stormed the building after nearly 16 hours, ending the standoff.
"Authorities stormed the building in Bakersfield, California, overnight, ending a nearly 16-hour standoff"