Suspect in California standoff dead, hostages freed

A man who took several people hostage at a California bank building is dead and all hostages have been freed, police said Wednesday following a roughly 15-hour standoff

A man who took several people hostage at a California bank building is dead and all hostages have been freed, police said Wednesday following a roughly 15-hour standoff.

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The suspect had barricaded himself inside the building on Chester Avenue and 17th Street around 1 p.m. local time on Tuesday, prompting a massive law enforcement response that involved crisis negotiators and the FBI.

He was pronounced dead at the scene following an officer-involved shooting with FBI personnel, Bakersfield police said in a statement.