Bakersfield Standoff

A 15-hour hostage siege in California ended with all ten hostages freed and unharmed. 

Police responded to a bomb threat around 1 p.m. Tuesday at a Bakersfield building housing a bank and school district offices. A 41-year-old man was holding ten school employees inside and claimed explosives were strapped to himself and some captives. During the incident, a livestreamer captured someone waving inside (see here). Two hostages were released during negotiations before FBI agents fatally shot the suspect at 4:20 a.m. Wednesday. 

The suspect was a registered sex offender and had a “criminal history of using weapons to commit violent offenses.” During the siege he expressed grievances on a prior legal case; specifics haven’t been released yet. Investigators have since cleared the building of all explosive devices, but have not yet publicly stated a motive.

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PRAY WITH US
God of Mercy, come near. Come near to the victims as they are shaken up from this experience. Come near to us as this act of fear and violence unravels the sense of security, and disturbs the sense of peace.

Emmanuel, You entered a violent world and suffered at the hands of violent men to buy a costly redemption. You have come near in bitter darkness. We cling to You. We depend on You for justice and for hope. Amen.