Bakersfield: Authorities in California are handling a possible suicide bombing situation where a man claiming to have bomb strapped to his chest has barricaded himself along with several others as hostages inside Chase Bank in downtown Bakersfield.
Heavily armed Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) teams, bomb disposal units, and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) hostage negotiators were rushed to the financial district imposing a lock down like situation in a multi block radius and forcing emergency evacuation of several municipal government buildings. According to a spokesperson who interacted with the media on spot specified that the Bakersfield police established a security perimeter covering roughly a three-block radius around the bank.
At least one hostage from inside the bank building was reportedly freed- the police further stated. “With the cooperation of our Crisis Negotiation Team and the assistance of the FBI negotiations team, we were able to negotiate the safe surrender of one of the hostages,” said a police official from the scene.
The Bakersfield police department posted a statement on social media that read- “We are on scene at the Chase Bank Building on Chester Avenue and 17th Street for a confirmed bomb threat. Please stay out of the downtown area. Road closures are in effect and will remain in effect until further notice”.
FBI also took to social media to update its involvement in dealing the situation. FBI’s Sacramento field office said it was “aware of the crisis in progress” and was sending support personnel to Bakersfield.
Bakersfield is located about 110 miles (177km) north of Los Angeles.
According to social media reports, there are 8 hostages while the police confirmed that atleast 1 was involved in the situation. However, no official statement has been issued yet.
Join our whatsapp group for Latest updates
Click Here for Chhattisgarh News
Click Here for Entertainment News