In California, a veteran tied explosives to hostages

FBI shot in California A 41-year-old US Army veteran who held 10 hostages in an office building and threatened with explosives.

Anthony Scott Searles-Harrisheld 10 people in an office building for about 3 p.m. Chase Bank in the center Bakersfield. According to police, the man claimed to have explosives on him and attached explosive devices to some of the hostages.

The incident began on Tuesday, June 2, around 13:00 local time. Searles-Harris entered a four-story office building in the center Bakersfieldwhere is the department located? Chase Bankas well as offices of educational structures of the district Kern. After a bomb threat was reported, the area was cordoned off and nearby buildings, including City Hall and the police headquarters, were placed on lockdown.

According to American media and local authorities, the man captured 10 employees Kern County Superintendent of Schools. Five hostages were tied up. During the negotiations, he claimed that he had a bomb attached to his body, and some of the hostages were also carrying explosives.

Authorities later reported that the suspected explosive devices were initially assessed as not posing a credible threat. However, at the time of the operation, the security forces proceeded from the worst-case scenario: in a situation with hostages and declared explosives, no one plays optimist, because optimists in such cases usually write explanatory notes after the fact.

15 hours of negotiations

Police were sent to the scene Bakersfieldspecial forces, explosion technicians, FBI, ATF and other federal services. Negotiations were conducted with the suspect over the phone. During the day and evening, two hostages were released.

According to the investigation, one of the hostages, who suffered from diabetes, managed to maintain a hidden connection with the police. This helped law enforcement officers obtain information about what was happening inside the building and assess the condition of people.

However, the negotiations did not lead to the surrender of the suspect. According to authorities, his behavior remained unstable, and the condition of the hostages became increasingly concerning. As a result, early on Wednesday morning, around 4:20–4:30, a hostage rescue team entered the building FBI.

Searles-Harris was shot. All hostages were freed and were not physically harmed.

Who was the suspect

According to American media reports, Anthony Scott Searles-Harris was a US Army veteran. He was dishonorably discharged from service after leaving his unit without permission.

He was also said to be a registered sex offender and had a criminal history of sexual assault and violence.

The motive for the attack has not yet been officially established. According to American media reports, during the negotiations the man put forward demands related to his previous criminal case and had previously published videos in which he criticized law enforcement agencies.

His former lawyer described him as having a severe psychological condition and a deep distrust of the state. But this is not an explanation, much less a justification for the capture of people. This is just another question for the system, which again noticed a dangerous person only when he was already holding others hostage.

The hostages survived, but the consequences will remain

Representatives FBI stressed that all hostages were rescued and did not receive physical injuries. However, authorities specifically noted that the psychological consequences for people who spent hours under the threat of an explosion could be serious. Victim support specialists should work with them.

Police and federal agencies continue to investigate. Investigators are checking the origin of the items that the suspect passed off as explosive devices, as well as his connections, motives and preparations for the seizure.

Editorial comment

This story again shows the weakness of the American system: a man with a heavy criminal background, a history of violence and obvious instability was able to lead a hostage situation in the center of the city. After this, the state machine, of course, worked powerfully: the cordon, negotiators, FBIassault But the question remains the same: why do such people become noticeable to the system only when they are already holding others under threat of explosion?

All the hostages survived—and that’s the main thing. But 15 hours in the hands of a man who claims to have attached explosives to you doesn’t end the moment you leave the building. For the victims, this story will continue for a long time without cameras, press conferences and beautiful phrases about the rescue operation.

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