BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — As downtown Bakersfield returned to normal after Tuesday’s hostage standoff, some residents questioned online whether the city was prepared for an emergency of that scale.
The lockdown began Tuesday afternoon and continued into early Wednesday as multiple agencies from Kern County and beyond responded near 17th Street and Chester Avenue. Road closures were put in place, and businesses across downtown adjusted their operations.
All hostages released, suspect dead in bomb threat at Chase Bank in Bakersfield. PHOTO: KBAK/KBFX
“Nothing’s ever happened in my whole 47 years. Nothing like that’s ever happened,” Tiffany Choat, owner of Naked Al’s Tattoo Shop
During a Bakersfield Police Department press conference, officials said people inside the building fled during the suspect’s takeover and that officers moved quickly to clear the surrounding area.
“Numerous other employees and patrons had fled the building during the suspect’s takeover, and we immediately began evacuating the surrounding area, establishments to minimize additional safety concerns to our community,” an official said.
Some local businesses closed out of caution. Multiple store owners located within roughly half a mile of the police perimeter said they were never directly instructed by law enforcement to close. Even so, most said they chose to shut down after learning about the situation.
FBI agents respond after a man barricaded himself inside a building with hostages Tuesday, June 2, 2026, in Bakersfield, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX)
Choat said she was not directly told to close but believed law enforcement handled the response well.
“I feel like they really marked off the perimeters well, and, you know, kept people out. And I thought the Bakersfield Police Department did a really good job,” Choat said.
In response to questions about preparedness, the city of Bakersfield said it had an emergency response plan and credited it with helping bring the standoff to an end.
“Yes, the city of Bakersfield has an emergency response plan which includes coordination with law enforcement, first responders, and other appropriate agencies when necessary. The conclusion of Tuesday’s incident was the result of a well-executed emergency response plan,” the city said in a statement.
FBI agents respond after a man barricaded himself inside a building with hostages Tuesday, June 2, 2026, in Bakersfield, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX)
Officials also defended their actions during the post-incident press conference, citing the need for additional support.
“Given the nature of the circumstances and the resources, our department requested the assistance from the FBI,” an official said.
The city said there will be further after-action reviews and analysis of Tuesday’s incident and response.