The FBI announced that the suspect shot and killed by officers after taking hostages in a Bakersfield, California building was identified as 41-year-old Anthony Scott Searles-Harris. According to FBI Special Agent Sid Patel, Searles-Harris had a criminal record, was a registered sex offender, and had previously served in the U.S. Army but was dishonorably discharged. The hostage situation occurred in the office of the Kern County Superintendent of Schools, where Searles-Harris held 10 employees for approximately 12 hours. During the standoff, five hostages were tied up, but no injuries were reported. The incident began when Searles-Harris barricaded himself inside the building, allegedly with a bomb strapped to his body. Police and FBI resources responded to the scene, and two hostages were released after negotiations. A motive for the hostage-taking has not been identified.
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FBI Identifies Hostage Taker in Bakersfield Incident
The FBI has identified Anthony Scott Searles-Harris as the suspect involved in a hostage situation in Bakersfield, California. He held 10 school employees hostage for about 12 hours before being shot by police. No injuries were reported among the hostages, and the motive for the incident remains unclear.
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Original Headline
FBI says California hostage taker targeted school officials, ‘no stranger’ to police
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FBI Identifies Hostage Taker in Bakersfield Incident
