Woman wounded in Redlands hostage situation was shot by officers, police chief says

REDLANDS, Calif. (KABC) -- A woman who was held hostage by her ex-boyfriend in Redlands ended up being shot by police, Redlands Police Chief Mark Garcia said Friday.

During a morning press conference, Garcia released the details of what led up to the tense hostage situation and how the woman, 28-year-old Kristen Bauer, was struck by police gunfire on March 24.

Around 2 p.m. that afternoon, the suspect in the case, 29-year-old Andrew Mike of Downey, went to a Redlands Office Depot where his ex-girlfriend, Bauer, worked. Bauer told authorities she had tried to end her relationship with Mike earlier that morning.

In order to avoid causing a scene, Bauer went outside to meet Mike in his car in the Office Depot parking lot. As they sat in the car, authorities said Mike pulled out a handgun, put it in his mouth and pulled the trigger, but the gun didn't fire. He then drove away with Bauer in the car.

As they drove around the area, Bauer continually asked Mike to stop and let her out. At one point while they were driving, he fired the gun in her direction, but ended up hitting the inside of the passenger door. He also kept trying to inject her with an unknown substance, but she was able to avoid being pierced by the needle, police said.

Mike and Bauer eventually ended up back at Office Depot, where he let her out of the car but followed her into the store. While they were inside, he physically restrained her and held her at gunpoint. During the struggle, one person who had tried to help was shot in the finger.

Authorities were called during that time and responded to the scene within two minutes. Mike then forced Bauer through the back door, saw the police presence and dragged her to a spot on High Street, just east of Sixth Street. There, he held her at gunpoint for more than two hours while negotiators tried to convince him to release Bauer to safety.

According to Bauer's police statement, Mike threatened her life at least eight times during the standoff. Authorities said Mike also indicated to them at least 10 times that he was prepared to die.

Toward the end of the hostage situation, Mike made a sudden movement, pulled Bauer back as a shield and pushed the gun into her back. Authorities then believed Bauer was in immediate danger and quickly chose to fire multiple rounds at Mike in order to save her life.

Garcia said 11 officers from multiple agencies fired 25 rounds at the suspect. Nine of those officers were from the Redlands Police Department, while two were part of the San Bernardino Police Department, according to Garcia.

Mike was struck and killed during the shooting, and Bauer, who was found wounded, was pulled away from the scene and transported to Loma Linda Medical Center. At the time, she was listed in critical condition.

Medical staff treated her and determined she suffered a single gunshot wound. The injury caused damage to one of her lungs, her liver and diaphragm, her father said, adding that she has a long road to recovery.

Mike's gun from the scene was recovered and looked over by authorities. Garcia said the cartridge appeared to have been jammed, which prevented the gun from firing.

According to preliminary results, Bauer was struck by police gunfire. Her family was contacted early Friday morning and updated with the latest findings, Garcia said.

He said hopes Bauer, who is now in serious condition, makes a full recovery.

"After meeting with Kristin again this morning, I am encouraged by her recovery," he said at the press conference. "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."

The incident remained under investigation, Garcia said.