Courtesy KBAK
BAKERSFIELD, CA (KUZZ) — Local, state, and federal agencies that responded to the tense hostage crisis at the Chase Bank building in downtown Bakersfield were honored Wednesday at a Bakersfield City Council meeting.
The incident began June 2, 2026, when Anthony Searles-Harris, 41, barricaded himself inside the building at 17th Street and Chester Avenue with ten Kern County Superintendent of Schools employees.
FBI agents fatally shot Searles-Harris, and all hostages were rescued safely after a 15-hour standoff,
Kern County Superintendent of Schools John Mendiburu thanked first responders including Bakersfield Police, Fire, Hall Ambulance and Kern County Behavioral Health.
KCSOS owns the building which houses some of its employees.
The bank branch has reopened, but KCSOS offices remain closed until further notice.
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