Daijiworld Media Network – California
California, Jun 4: A registered sex offender who held 10 employees of the Kern County Superintendent of Schools hostage during a 16-hour standoff in Bakersfield, California, was shot dead by an FBI hostage rescue team after negotiations broke down, authorities said.
The suspect, identified as 41-year-old Anthony Scott Searles-Harris, entered a building on Chester Avenue and 17th Street shortly before 1 pm on Tuesday and barricaded himself on the second floor. Authorities received reports that he was carrying explosives, prompting a massive response involving local police, crisis negotiators and the FBI.
According to Bakersfield Assistant Police Chief Jeremy Blakemore, Searles-Harris took 10 school employees hostage. Two hostages were released during negotiations in exchange for food, water and materials related to his previous criminal case. However, discussions later stalled and the suspect refused to free the remaining captives.
Investigators said Searles-Harris claimed to have explosives attached to himself and some hostages. Law enforcement officers were able to verify the presence of suspicious devices, while five hostages were reportedly tied up during the ordeal.
One hostage, who had diabetes, remained in contact with authorities through her mobile phone until its battery died. Officials said medication was successfully delivered to her during the standoff.
The crisis ended around 4.30 am on Wednesday when an FBI hostage rescue team moved in and "neutralised" the suspect. Searles-Harris was pronounced dead at the scene following an exchange involving FBI personnel. All hostages were rescued without physical injuries.
Authorities said a motive remains under investigation and there is no indication that the school employees were specifically targeted.
Police revealed that Searles-Harris had a lengthy criminal history. A former US Army soldier, he was dishonourably discharged after going absent without leave (AWOL). In 2014, he was convicted of multiple sex offences involving a minor and was subsequently registered as a sex offender.
Officials said conversations during the standoff suggested he remained deeply concerned about his past conviction and legal proceedings. His social media activity also reportedly reflected grievances about the handling of his case.
His former attorney, Arturo Revelo, said Searles-Harris had requested to speak with him during the standoff, but they were never allowed to communicate. Revelo described his former client as someone who blamed others for his circumstances and suggested the incident may have been an attempt to provoke law enforcement into killing him.
The FBI said several suspected improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were recovered from the scene. Preliminary assessments indicated they did not pose an immediate threat, though testing is ongoing.
The area around the building remained closed for several hours as investigators continued their examination of the scene. Bakersfield is located about 113 miles north of Los Angeles in California's San Joaquin Valley.