Cops: Man Has Taken Hostages in California Bank

A man barricaded himself inside a Chase Bank in the Southern California city of Bakersfield with an unknown number of people, police said Tuesday. Officers responding to a call of a bomb threat arrived at the scene around 1pm at the Chase Bank building in downtown Bakersfield, and discovered a man had barricaded himself inside "with several community members," the Bakersfield Police Department said in a statement. Some community members were able to escape, officials say. No injuries were reported and nearby buildings were placed on lockdown, including city hall and the police headquarters, the AP reports.

Officers established a perimeter around the building and nearby businesses, authorities said. "We are on scene at the Chase Bank Building on Chester Avenue and 17th Street for a confirmed bomb threat," the police department posted on X. "Please stay out of the downtown area. Road closures are in effect and will remain in effect until further notice." About a dozen police cars were on scene along with one tactical vehicle and multiple emergency responders, and FBI agents were on the scene. KMPH reports that police said the man appeared to have a bomb strapped to his body. They said that with the help of FBI negotiators, they had secured the release of one hostage.