Anthony Scott Searles-Harris held 10 school employees inside a downtown office building, authorities said.
BAKERSFIELD, CA — Authorities identified Anthony Scott Searles-Harris, 41, as the man who held 10 people hostage inside a downtown Bakersfield office building before FBI agents shot and killed him early Wednesday.
The standoff began Tuesday afternoon at a four-story building on 17th Street that houses a Chase Bank branch and offices for the Kern County Superintendent of Schools. Police said all hostages were found unharmed after a more than 15-hour crisis that shut down part of downtown and drew local, state and federal law enforcement.
Officers began receiving calls at 12:59 p.m. Tuesday about a man with an explosive device who had entered the Chase Bank building, Bakersfield Assistant Police Chief Jeremy Blakemore said. Police said Searles-Harris went to the second floor, barricaded himself inside and took 10 employees hostage. Five of the hostages were tied up, officials said. The Chase branch on the ground floor was empty, a company spokesperson said. Negotiators reached Searles-Harris by phone and worked for hours to free the people inside. “We have every single resource at our disposal out here to bring this to the safest resolution possible,” Bakersfield police Sgt. Eric Celedon said during the standoff.
Police said Searles-Harris claimed he had explosives attached to himself and to others in the building. Officials were still testing the devices Wednesday, though early findings indicated they may not have posed the threat he claimed. Two hostages were released during negotiations, the first at about 3:59 p.m. and the second at about 8:24 p.m., Blakemore said. After that, talks stalled. Authorities said Searles-Harris asked for food, water and materials tied to a prior court case. Police said they provided items to support negotiations and try to secure more releases. The remaining hostages stayed inside through the night as officers, SWAT teams, bomb technicians and FBI personnel surrounded the building.
Sid Patel, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Sacramento field office, said Searles-Harris had a history of violence and was a registered sex offender. Officials said he served in the Army from 2006 to 2007 and was discharged after going absent without leave. Records cited by authorities showed he was convicted in a child sex offense case and released from prison in 2018. Investigators said Searles-Harris had posted online videos in which he disputed parts of his earlier criminal case. Police said they did not believe the Kern County education employees were targeted because of their jobs. The building’s mix of public offices and a bank branch made the location a visible downtown landmark, but officials said the motive remained under investigation.
The FBI took control of tactical operations after 9 p.m. Tuesday as negotiators continued trying to resolve the standoff. Officials said one hostage, who had diabetes, was able to communicate with law enforcement before her phone died. Police got medication to her, but Blakemore said the risk to her health helped turn the case into what authorities viewed as a possible loss-of-life situation. Around 4:20 a.m. Wednesday, an FBI Hostage Rescue Team entered the building and shot Searles-Harris. He died at the scene. The remaining hostages were rescued and received medical checks. No hostage injuries were reported.
The standoff forced evacuations and lockdowns across downtown Bakersfield. City Hall, police headquarters and nearby offices were cleared or locked down while officers blocked roads and built a perimeter around the area. Emergency crews set up a command post and trauma tents nearby in case people were hurt. Local livestreamer Jacob Davidson said he watched officers enter the back of the bank building from a nearby parking garage and saw one of the largest police responses he had witnessed in the city. Mayor Karen Goh said during the crisis that the public needed to stay away so trained responders could work safely.
John Mendiburu, Kern County superintendent of schools, said the district was relieved its employees were physically unharmed. “What unfolded was undoubtedly a terribly frightening and unsettling experience, and the composure our employees demonstrated throughout the 16-hour ordeal was extraordinary,” Mendiburu said. He thanked Bakersfield police, the FBI and other agencies for their work. JPMorgan Chase said it was cooperating with investigators and focused on the safety of everyone involved. The incident also disrupted election night activity in the downtown area, including the cancellation of a planned watch party for state Assemblymember Jasmeet Bains.
Investigators remained at the building Wednesday, reviewing evidence, testing suspected explosive devices and reconstructing the timeline. Officials had not released a full account of the FBI shooting or a final motive by Wednesday evening.
Author note: Last updated Wednesday, June 3, 2026.