Redlands stand-off hostage clinging to life

A woman who was shot in the stomach by her ex-boyfriend after a tense standoff in Redlands remains in critical condition Friday, clinging to life as investigators piece together what sparked the confrontation.

Kristin Bauer, 28, is being treated at Loma Linda University Medical Center for a gunshot wound that police say was inflicted by her ex-boyfriend, 29-year-old Andrew Mike of Downey.

Mike had walked into the Office Depot where Bauer works around 2 p.m. Thursday and an argument ensued, police said, resulting in Mike firing a shot which hit a bystander in the finger.

He then pulled Bauer out of the Office Depot and took her hostage when officers confronted him behind the Orange Street Plaza shopping center.

He held her captive for two hours as SWAT team members tried to negotiate a surrender. Officers then moved in and fatally shot Mike after he shot Bauer, officials said.

She was immediately pulled away and transported to Loma Linda by helicopter. Mike died at the scene.

Gregory Bauer said he was on the cellphone with his daughter as she was arguing with Mike inside the store.

“She kept telling him ‘You gotta let me go. Andrew, you gotta let me go.’ He said, ‘I’m not afraid to die.’ And the phone went dead.”

He said he knew the couple had been having problems, but described Mike as a “nice kid” who came over the house for dinner often and had a daughter.

The person who was shot in the finger inside the store was also treated at Loma Linda.