Sex offender with explosives killed by FBI after taking hostages in Bakersfield, officials say
A dramatic hostage scenario played out in Central California overnight Tuesday, when a convicted sex offender barricaded himself in a building, threatened to blow himself up and was ultimately killed by the FBI, authorities said.
In what sounds like something out of a movie, police and FBI officials said that 41-year-old Anthony Scott Searles-Harris walked into a Chase Bank building in downtown Bakersfield Tuesday afternoon with explosives "attached to his person," tied up several hostages on the second floor and locked himself and everyone else inside.
Searles-Harris was convicted of committing sex acts with underage girls, and was sentenced to prison and released in 2018, according to online records.
In a video uploaded to YouTube in October titled, "Labeled a Monster," Searles-Harris accused law enforcement of planting evidence in his case. He also said that the media was complicit in his conviction by publicizing the "false allegations" against him.
The hostage crisis began Tuesday around 1 p.m., when police officers responded to reports of a man with an explosive device who entered the Chase Bank building on 17th Street, according to Jeremy Blakemore, assistant chief of the Bakersfield Police Department.
Searles-Harris allegedly barricaded himself inside the second floor of the building and took 10 hostages, telling law enforcement that he had attached explosives to himself and the hostages, according to Blakemore. Five of the hostages had also been tied up.
The hostages were confirmed to be employees of the Kern County Superintendent of Schools on the second floor of the building, officials said. Other employees fled the building while law enforcement evacuated the surrounding area to minimize safety concerns.
Police don't believe that the employees were intentionally targeted.
A few hours into the standoff, law enforcement communicated with Searles-Harris over the phone and successfully negotiated the release of the first hostage around 3:59 p.m. Tuesday followed by a second around 8:24 p.m., Blakemore said. Negotiations then stalled and the suspect refused to release any more hostages.
Searles-Harris had asked for food and water, as well as materials related to his previous court case that he wanted to see, according to Blakemore. Law enforcement complied with his requests to facilitate the release of the two hostages.
Searles-Harris had told police that he was frustrated with "certain elements" of his previous court case, authorities said.
After negotiations stalled, the FBI assumed control over the incident just after 9 p.m., Sid Patel, special agent in charge of the FBI's Sacramento field office, said at a Wednesday news conference.
During the crisis, officials said, one hostage managed to communicate with law enforcement before her phone died.
The hostage was diabetic and police were able to get medication to her, but determined it was a "loss-of-life situation" if they didn't act quickly, Blakemore said.
Around 4:20 a.m. Wednesday, an elite FBI Hostage Rescue Team moved in and fatally shot Searles-Harris, authorities said.
Authorities said they were still conducting tests on the devices Searles-Harris planted to determine if they were dangerous.
John Mendiburu, Kern County Superintendent of Schools, said in a statement that the district is relieved employees were physically unharmed during the crisis.
"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. "My deepest gratitude goes to our partners at the Bakersfield Police Department, the FBI, and all responding agencies for their professionalism, courage, and commitment to protecting lives."
A spokesperson for JPMorgan Chase said in a statement that its branch is on the ground floor of the building and was empty. The building, which features large Chase Bank lettering on the exterior, also houses unrelated offices.
"We are grateful to law enforcement for their swift, professional response and we're relieved that those who were being held are safe," according to the statement. "The branch will remain closed until further notice; we are focused on supporting our employees during this difficult and stressful time, including providing access to resources and assistance."
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(Los Angeles Times staff writer Clara Harter contributed to this report.)
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This story was originally published June 2, 2026 at 8:49 PM.