A standoff involving a man who allegedly made bomb threats at a Chase Bank in downtown Bakersfield, California, stretched into Tuesday evening as negotiators worked to secure the release of people still inside the building.

The Bakersfield Police Department said officers responded shortly after 1 p.m. to a reported bomb threat at the Chase Bank near Chester Avenue and 17th Street.

During a briefing with reporters, Bakersfield Police Sgt. Eric Celedon said authorities learned that an unidentified man entered the bank and remained inside with an unknown number of community members.

“What I can guarantee the community right now is that every single resource is at the site’s disposal,” Celedon said, adding that SWAT officers, bomb squad personnel, K-9 teams, negotiators and drone operators had been deployed to the scene.

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In a post on X, the department described the incident as a “confirmed bomb threat” and urged residents to avoid the downtown area, warning that road closures would remain in effect until further notice.

According to local station KBAK, authorities believe the suspect may have had a bomb strapped to his body and had barricaded himself inside the building with several people.

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The station reported that one person was safely released before 5 p.m. following negotiations involving Bakersfield police and the FBI’s negotiation team.

“At this time, everybody else still remains inside the building, and everybody else still remains in good health,” Celedon said.

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The outlet also reported that several city buildings, including City Hall North, City Hall South, the Development Services Building and Bakersfield Police Headquarters, were placed on lockdown as a precaution due to the nearby incident.

In a statement obtained by KBAK, Bakersfield Mayor Karen Goh said city officials were closely monitoring the situation and thanked law enforcement personnel for their response.

“We continue to closely monitor the situation unfolding in our city and remain concerned for the safety and well-being of everyone involved,” Goh said.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the office of Mayor Karen Goh for additional comment.

Rep. Tom Kean Jr., R-N.J., said Tuesday he is “more energized than ever” and plans to return to in-person work “within a matter of weeks,” issuing a new statement after months away from Capitol Hill because of an undisclosed medical issue.

Kean, who represents New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District, has been absent from Congress for months while dealing with undisclosed health issues keeping him away from Washington and the campaign trail. Kean said in April that he was addressing a “personal medical issue,” but he has not publicly disclosed the nature of the issue.

“Serving the people of this district is the honor of my life. Every day, I wake up determined to build on the results I have delivered for New Jersey families such as lowering costs, restoring the SALT deduction, funding our law enforcement, helping veterans, standing with Israel, strengthening our economy, and making government work better,” Kean said in a statement Tuesday, amid growing scrutiny over his absence.

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Kean has not cast a vote since March 5, according to The New York Times. House voting records also listed Kean as “Not Voting” on a May 21 roll call vote.

“I am optimistic about the road ahead, and ready to earn the support of voters in every corner of the district,” Kean continued. “I am more energized then ever to keep fighting for the people of New Jersey’s 7th District. Right now I am focused on my recovery and under the advice of healthcare professionals I will transition from virtual work to in person work within a matter of weeks. At that time I will be completely transparent as to the nature of my medical condition.”

Kean added that he “understand[s] the need for transparency on this matter” and looks forward to sharing his experience with the public.

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Ahead of Kean’s Tuesday primary election, during which he ran unopposed, President Donald Trump endorsed the New Jersey Republican.

Trump praised Kean in a Truth Social post Monday night, describing him as a strong supporter of the president’s “America First Agenda,” adding the New Jersey Republican is “working tirelessly” on border security, crime, the economy, taxes, energy, veterans and Second Amendment issues.

“Tom Kean has my Complete and Total Endorsement for Re-Election,” Trump concluded, telling people to get out and vote.

Trump’s support remains one of the most powerful forces in Republican primaries, with candidates across several states openly competing for his backing ahead of key contests. His endorsement of Kean signals the White House and GOP leaders are still lining up behind the incumbent as Republicans fight to defend their narrow House majority this fall.

Four Democrats — Rebecca Bennett, Michael Roth, Tina Shah and Brian Varela — were competing for the nomination to face Kean in November, but Bennett edged them out Tuesday night during the Democratic primary.

The Associated Press described Bennett as a former Navy helicopter pilot, Roth as a former Small Business Administration official, Shah as an intensive care doctor and Varela as a businessman, with each candidate raising seven figures as Democrats target Kean’s battleground seat.