TheBakersfieldCalifornian.com

News of terrorist leader Osama bin Laden's death was greeted with happiness by local residents, plus hope that it can bring some closure to relatives of those killed in 9/11.

While those interviewed by The Californian at Valley Plaza mall and The Marketplace on Monday said they were excited, many cautioned that bin Laden's death could come with violent repercussions from Islamic extremist groups.

Just the mention of bin Laden's name was enough to get tempers running high. One man politely declined comment because he said he'd end up saying a bunch of things the newspaper wouldn't be able to print.

Among the other comments:

* "It's about time," said Al Johnson, 78, as he sipped a drink while sitting with friends at Valley Plaza's food court.

Johnson said he read about bin Laden's death in The Californian Monday morning. As for how this impacts the U.S. in the long-term, he said we just have to wait and see.

"I think (bin Laden's death) will make a difference, but we just have to be sure it doesn't backfire," he said.

* Jack Rogers at first thought it was a joke when he received word of the death from a friend's text. But then he turned on the TV and realized the reports were real.

"They finally got him," he said. "Better late than never."

It was frustrating as each year went by without bin Laden's death or capture, Rogers said. But the 27-year-old added he wasn't too surprised that U.S. forces ended up killing him.

"We're pretty persistent," he said.

* "Finally they got that bastard," said Bakersfield resident George Cummings as he sat on a bench in Valley Plaza.

Cummings said it was only a matter of time before bin Laden ran out of places to hide. His death doesn't make up for all the lives he took, but it's a positive development, he said.

"I just hope that's it," Cummings said. "It started with him, it should end with him."

* "I never thought this day would come," said Alan Wilson, 53, as he sat at a table at The Marketplace. "I just thought he'd disappear and we'd never know what happened to him."

Wilson, who was celebrating his birthday Monday, said he was excited when he heard the news, and he thought it was great that Americans were coming together to share this moment. Wilson, of Bakersfield, listened to The Jim Rome Show Monday morning, but instead of its usual sports talk the only thing callers wanted to talk about was bin Laden's death.

That was fine by Wilson.

"It feels good," he said. "I feel like this is a good moment for us."

* "I was relieved because he's a really bad man," said Wendy Alva, 41, of Tehachapi.

Nevertheless, she thinks bin Laden's death is only the beginning, with more bombings and deaths to come.

* News of his death came as a shock to 20-year-old Danielle Mendiola.

The Bakersfield resident said his death was something she never thought would happen. It doesn't solve the country's problems, though.

"Some people might think it's a step in the right direction, but I think we need a lot more hope," she said.

* Bakersfield resident Rhonda Upshaw, 58, was still a little skeptical of bin Laden's death Monday morning. She said she'd like to see some proof, including photos of his body.

Even if he is dead, "there's 10,000 more like him to take his place," she said.