Story perspectives

FBI Ends Bakersfield Chase Bank Siege, Ten Hostages Freed

6/5/2026

Center

FBI Rescues Hostages

The FBI deployed its East Coast Hostage Rescue Team to the Chase Bank siege in Bakersfield.
Anthony Scott Searles-Harris, 41, was shot dead after a hostage standoff at Bakersfield’s Chase Bank; ten hostages were rescued.
Two hostages were freed at 3:59 p.m. and 8:24 p.m. from the bank.
More than a dozen agencies, including ATF, DEA and the Sacramento County Bomb Squad, responded.

Left

FBI Hostage Rescue

Victim specialists were deployed to address the likely psychological trauma of the ten hostages, all Kern County school employees.
FBI Quantico hostage rescue team entered the Chase Bank in Bakersfield Wednesday, fatally shot the suspect and rescued ten hostages.
Investigators disclosed the suspect’s violent convictions, a minor sex crime and 2007 dishonorable Army discharge.
Mayor Karen Goh urged residents to avoid area and praised police, bomb squad and SWAT.

1 of 2

FBI Rescues Hostages

The FBI deployed its East Coast Hostage Rescue Team to the Chase Bank siege in Bakersfield.
Anthony Scott Searles-Harris, 41, was shot dead after a hostage standoff at Bakersfield’s Chase Bank; ten hostages were rescued.
Two hostages were freed at 3:59 p.m. and 8:24 p.m. from the bank.
More than a dozen agencies, including ATF, DEA and the Sacramento County Bomb Squad, responded.

1 / 2