Hostage Wound May Have Been Caused By Police
By Margaret Miller, Publisher/Journalist
April 5, 2016 at 05:09pm. Views: 325
April 5, 2016 at 05:09pm. Views: 325
By: Margie Miller of Grand Terrace, Publisher/Journalist
REDLANDS >> Redlands Chief of Police Mark A. Garcia held a press conference Friday, April 1, to provide an update on the investigation into the March 24 hostage incident at Office Depot that resulted in the death of Andrew Mike, the suspect, and injury to two people, including the hostage.
Following are Chief Garcia’s remarks from that press conference.
"As you are all aware, last Thursday afternoon, the Redlands Police Department along with officers from agencies including the San Bernardino Police Department, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department and others responded to a hostage incident at the Office Depot that ended in the death of the suspect and injury of his hostage and one other person.
Preliminary investigation by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department and the Redlands Police Department has provided some additional initial information and we wanted to share that preliminary information with you now. Keep in mind that the investigation is still in its initial stages and this information is based on what we know today.
The incident began early last Thursday afternoon when the suspect – Andrew Mike – came to victim Kristin Bauer’s workplace. Seeking to avoid a scene, Kristin, who had already told Mike she was ending their relationship, went outside to meet Mike in his car in the parking lot of the Office Depot. As they sat in the car, Mike pulled out a handgun, put it in his mouth and pulled the trigger. The gun didn’t fire.
Mike then drove away with Kristin in the car. As he drove around the area, Kristin asked him several times to stop the vehicle and let her out. At one point, while driving, Mike fired his gun toward Kristin, striking the inside passenger door of the moving vehicle.
During this time, while still driving Mike also attempted to inject Kristin several times with an unknown substance, but she avoided being hit by the syringe.
Eventually Mike returned to Office Depot where the victim got out and went back into the store. Mike followed her in. Inside the store, Mike physically restrained Kristin while holding her at gunpoint. One person was shot in the hand when he tried to assist Kristen.
Officers, responding to a 911 call, arrived within two minutes.
Mike then forced Kristin through a back door and, seeing the officers, stopped at High Street where he held Kristin at gunpoint for more than two hours while police negotiators talked with him and attempted to get him to release Kristin safely. During this incident Mike made multiple threats to Kristen’s life. Based on Kristen’s statement he threatened her at least eight times. Additionally, Mike conveyed to officers at least 10 times he was ready to die that day.
After more than two hours of negotiating with the suspect, Mike made a sudden move, pulling Kristin back as a shield and pushing the gun into her back. At that point, believing the hostage was in imminent danger officers made a split second decision firing multiple rounds at the suspect in an attempt to save Kristen’s life. The rounds fired by the officers struck and killed Mike. At the same time, Kristin was also wounded.
When Mike’s weapon was examined, investigators found a cartridge had jammed in the weapon, preventing the weapon from firing.
The medical staff that treated Kristin have definitively identified one gunshot wound to Kristin. Preliminary results indicate the shot that caused that wound was fired by police.
Eleven officers fired 25 rounds from their weapons. Nine of the officers that fired their weapons are Redlands Police Officers and two of the officers are San Bernardino Police Officers.
This morning I spoke with Kristin and her family and informed them of these initial findings.
I want to reiterate that this is an ongoing investigation and there are a number of additional details we cannot confirm or address at this point.
During this incident, police officers continued to do everything they could to save Kristin Bauer’s life. The suspect had behaved violently, firing his weapon twice and had wounded one person already. For more than two hours officers tried negotiating for a peaceful resolution with the suspect. At the point that police fired, they were acting on the belief that Kristin was going to be killed.
After meeting with Kristin again this morning, I am encouraged by her recovery. I pray for her continued recovery, and the Redlands Police Department and I will continue to do all we can to assist her and support her family as she heals.
I will now take questions."
Robert Schaefer, an accomplished author who lives in Forest Falls, said Kristin's story really affected him because of the emotions it triggered in him, as he has a beautiful daughter similar in age to Kristin. Schaefer said he prayed all night and all day for Kristin's full recovery but he felt compelled to do more. Schaefer has a very strong legal background and knew that insurance would not cover the injuries as a result of the shooting, and he wanted to take action to help. He decided to use his knowledge to set up a foundation for Kristin. All of the money donated to the foundation will help pay for her medical bills and living expenses until she has fully recovered.
When asked what she thought of Mr. Schaefer's efforts to help her, Kristin said, "There's no words to say. It's going to help.. it's going to help tremendously."
Those interested in contributing to the foundation set up by Mr. Schaefer to help Kristin through her recovery are asked to make checks payable to "The Kristin Bauer Foundation" and mail them to 22797 Barton Road Grand Terrace, CA 92313, or go to www.gofundme.com/HelpKristinBauer.
Related Articles
By Titan Mom Elvira, Community Writer
November 3, 2026 at 03:26pm. Views: 216
Athlete of the Week Christopher Michael Lemos, Redlands High School Junior and Varsity Quarterback, proudly represents the Terriers with his dedication, leadership, and passion for the game.
By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer
November 3, 2026 at 03:26pm. Views: 225
Redlands Pottery Project joins A.K. Smiley Public Library for a November 14 workshop designed for young artists ages 13 to 18. A lump of clay may not look like much at first. In the hands of a young artist, however, it can become a bowl, a decorative sculpture or an entirely unexpected creation.
By William Cortez, Community Writer
November 3, 2026 at 03:26pm. Views: 226
The University of Redlands Department of Theatre and Dance will present Día de los Muertos and Other Folk Tales November 5 through 8, 2026. Stories told by grandparents often become treasured parts of a family's history. Some are humorous, others mysterious, and many carry lessons that remain meaningful long after the storyteller is gone.
By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer
November 3, 2026 at 03:26pm. Views: 233
A remote wildfire-monitoring camera overlooks a Southern California landscape. Redlands has partnered with UC San Diego's ALERTCalifornia program to improve monitoring of areas near northern Redlands and the Santa Ana River wash.
By William Cortez, Community Writer
November 3, 2026 at 03:26pm. Views: 233
Annual ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial Shrine will bring American history to life on November 21. On a November morning in Redlands, the sounds of fifes, drums and historic artillery will offer residents an opportunity to experience a chapter of American history that continues to influence the nation more than 160 years after the Civil War.
By Stella Pierce, Community Writer
November 3, 2026 at 03:18pm. Views: 231
The first years of a child's life are filled with milestones that families often remember forever. A baby's first smile, the first attempt to crawl and the first spoken words are moments of celebration. They can also bring questions, uncertainty and new responsibilities for parents learning how to care for a growing child.
By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer
November 3, 2026 at 03:06pm. Views: 269
CSUSB’s Department of Physics and Astronomy has earned recognition for it for its work to create a more inclusive, diverse and supportive physics department, earning the Bronze Award from the American Association for the Advancement of Science Physics & Astronomy SEA Change program.
By William Cortez, Community Writer
November 3, 2026 at 03:06pm. Views: 279
Operation Green Light returns November 4–11, encouraging residents to recognize military service and help veterans connect with available resources. As darkness settles over San Bernardino during the first week of November, green lights will illuminate several county buildings, transforming familiar government facilities into visible reminders of the sacrifices made by America's military veterans.
By Amanda Spencer, Community Writer
November 3, 2026 at 03:06pm. Views: 240
As America's most famous highway celebrates its centennial in 2026, San Bernardino reflects on the road that helped shape its neighborhoods, businesses and identity. Long before interstate highways became the preferred routes for cross-country travel, motorists making their way through San Bernardino followed a road that would become one of the most recognizable highways in American history.
By Amanda Spencer, Community Writer
November 3, 2026 at 03:06pm. Views: 190
Muscoy Elementary students join SBCUSD Superintendent Mauricio Arellano, Board of Education President Mayra Ceballos, Assistant Superintendents Dr. Sandra Rodriguez and Dr. Tasha Doizan, Director MaryRone Goodwin and San Bernardino County Supervisor Joe Baca Jr. for the official ribbon cutting ceremony that opened the school’s new outdoor learning center.
By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer
October 27, 2026 at 02:39pm. Views: 581
A city is often judged by what residents experience every day: the condition of its streets, the reliability of public services, the availability of recreational programs and the ease of obtaining information from local government. Behind those everyday experiences are departments and employees whose work rarely attracts national attention.
By Titan Mom Elvira, Community Writer
October 27, 2026 at 02:39pm. Views: 546
Athlete of the Week Zachary Scott Perez, Senior at John W. North High School, is recognized as Athlete of the Week for his dedication and accomplishments as a student athlete.