BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — The FBI and the Bakersfield Police Department gave a timeline on the end of a hostage situation with all 10 hostages being rescued and the suspect, identified as a 41-year-old Anthony Scott Searles-Harris, shot and killed.
Bakersfield Police Department Assistant Chief of Police Jeremy Blakemore and FBI Special Agent Sid Patel released a timeline of the incident.
RELATED: All hostages released, suspect dead in bomb threat at Chase Bank in Bakersfield
Blakemore said on Tuesday, June 2, at 12:59 p.m., the department began receiving calls of a suspect in possession of an explosive device who had entered the Chase Bank building on 17th Street in downtown Bakersfield.
Police said that as the situation unfolded, the responding personnel and dispatchers confirmed that the man had barricaded himself on the second floor of the building and had taken several hostages.
The suspect advised that he had explosives on him and that the personnel could see as well, according to police. Police said the suspect told law enforcement that explosives were attached on some of the hostages. Police said it was confirmed based on their observations.
The 10 hostages involved were confirmed to be employees of the Kern County Superintendent of Schools on the second floor of the Chase Bank building.
Blakemore said numerous employees and patrons left the building during the suspect’s takeover. Evacuations in the surrounding areas were conducted to minimize safety concerns to the community.
While evacuations were underway, Bakersfield police were in communication with the suspect in an effort to release hostages and have a peaceful surrender.
FBI agents respond after a man barricaded himself inside a building with hostages Tuesday, June 2, 2026, in Bakersfield, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX)
Bakersfield police said during the negotiations process, they were able to secure the release of two hostages. The first at 3:59 p.m. and the second at 8:24 p.m. Police exchanges were made in relation to getting materials in relation to his previous court case and in relation to food and water.
Bakersfield police said that as the situation continued, the negotiations stalled, and the suspect refused to release any more hostages.
The department then requested the assistance of the FBI. The FBI then assumed operational control at around 9:02 p.m.
“This has been a horrific event,” said Sid Patel, Special Agent of the Sacramento Federal Bureau of Investigation Field Office.
Patel said on Tuesday at around 1:30 p.m., they received a call for assistance from the Bakersfield Police Department in response to the bomb threat at the Chase Bank building.
Patel said the FBI responded within minutes of the call, with 150 personnel to assist.
Patel said SWAT teams from Sacramento and Los Angeles responded as well. Crisis Negotiations teams were called. The FBI bomb techs from Sacramento, Los Angeles, and San Francisco responded as well. Multiple resources were at the scene as well.
“The Bakersfield Police Department was supported with every available resource, including the FBI Hostage Rescue Team,” said Patel. The team was deployed from the East Coast. Patel emphasized that the team responds to situations across the county and internationally on some occasions.
Patel identified the suspect as 41-year-old Anthony Scott Searles-Harris. Searles-Harris served in the U.S. Army from 2006 to 2007. “However, he was dishonorably discharged for going AWOL, that’s Absent Without Leave,” said Patel.
Patel said Searles-Harris has a criminal history of using weapons to commit violent offenses. In 2014, he was charged with sex acts with a child under 14 and is a registered sex offender.
The FBI and the Bakersfield Police Department gave a timeline on the end of a hostage situation with all 10 hostages being rescued and the suspect, identified as a 41-year-old Anthony Scott Searles-Harris, shot and killed. PHOTO: Megan’s Law
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At the Chase Bank, the FBI said Searles-Harris tied up five of the 10 hostages on the second floor. Patel also reiterated the timeline, with one of the hostages being released at 4 p.m. and the second hostage being released at 8:30 p.m. Patel said they were in communication with one of the hostages because she had her phone on her until the phone died. The FBI said medicine were able to be given to her because she was diabetic.
Patel praised the Bakersfield Police Department for their efforts.
After the FBI SWAT took over the crisis site at 9 p.m., it was then transitioned to the Hostage Team at around 2 a.m.
The FBI said on Wednesday morning, at around 4:30 a.m., the Hostage Team neutralized the suspect. FBI said the entry was made after conversations through the door. Patel said testing was being made on the explosives. “We were able to conclude at this point of time, that they were not a concern to us.”
All 10 hostages were rescued, and services from the Victim Specialist will be offered.
Negotiations continue in a hostage situation after about 8 hours in downtown Bakersfield. PHOTO: KBAK/KBFX
Other agencies that were at the scene were ATF from San Francisco, Homeland Security Investigations from San Francisco, DEA, U.S. Marshals, Air Force OSI, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Sacramento County Bomb Squad, Kern County Sheriff’s Office, Bakersfield Fire Department, Hall Ambulance, and numerous other agencies.
Law enforcement confirmed a search warrant was made in connection with the suspect at the home on Oildale Drive. “We’re still continuing with that investigated piece. There are aspects that were concerning to us,” said Patel.
RELATED: Heavy police presence reported at home on Oildale Drive
There is a heavy police presence outside an Oildale home. PHOTO: KBAK/KBFX
When question on the intended target, police said that while it is an ongoing investigation, Blakemore said, “It does not appear that KCSOS was an intended target in any way in terms of the employees specifically, those type of things.”
Law enforcement is aware of a YouTube video allegedly made by the suspect. Law enforcement said he was frustrated with specific elements on how his case was handled, which were allegedly expressed in the social media video.
Dr. John Mendiburu of the Kern County Superintendent of Schools released a statement saying:
We are incredibly relieved that the incident inside the Chase Building, during which 10 Kern County Superintendent of Schools employees were held against their will, has been resolved without physical injury to any KCSOS staff members.What unfolded was undoubtedly a terribly frightening and unsettling experience, and the composure our employees demonstrated throughout the 16-hour ordeal was extraordinary.My deepest gratitude goes to our partners at the Bakersfield Police Department, the FBI, and all responding agencies for their professionalism, courage, and commitment to protecting lives.Please join me in keeping those affected by this incident in your thoughts. KCSOS will continue to provide support and resources to impacted employees in the days and weeks ahead.
The FBI said if the public has information on the ongoing investigation, to reach out at tips.fbi.gov or call 1 (800) CALL-FBI.
