Armed Robbery Suspect Fatally Shot By Police After Threatening To Bomb Bank
SILVER SPRING, Md. (WJZ) -- A Montgomery County Police officer confronted and shot an armed bank robbery suspect after he made a bomb threat at a bank in Silver Spring.
Police were on the scene of the Silver Spring Metro Station after a suspect was found shot following a bank robbery in the area.
According to Assistant Chief Marcus Jones, the attempted armed robbery was at the BB&T Bank in the 1100 block of Wayne Avenue around 10:48 a.m.
(1/2) MCP is investigating the report of an armed bank robbery at the BB&T Bank located at 1100 Wayne Avenue in Silver Spring. Active investigation.
— Montgomery County Department of Police (@mcpnews) January 16, 2019
The suspect walked into the bank manager's office and said he had a bomb in his backpack. He then lifted up his coat and showed the manager he was armed with a handgun, demanding $20,000 in cash.
"He went into bank manager's office, and confronted the bank manager and expressed that he had a bomb in his backpack and displayed a handgun by lifting up his coat jacket," said Assistant Police Chief Marcus Jones, Montgomery County Police.
The bank manager got up and walked over to the teller line and pressed the panic button.
According to Jones, that triggered a police response -- and the suspect left the bank without any cash.
The suspect then went to the alley behind the building and where he was confronted by a Montgomery County Police officer.
Police said the officer shot the suspect during the confrontation.
The suspect was then taken to Holy Cross hospital for treatment where he succumbed to his injuries.
Bomb squad crews are working to ensure the device on the suspect is deemed safe.
Several buildings in the area have been evacuated as police investigate.
The FBI is assisting Montgomery County Police with the investigation.
FBI Baltimore personnel are on scene assisting the @mcpnews Police Department. MCP will provide a media briefing shortly. https://t.co/oHRYPxJCGI
— FBI Baltimore (@FBIBaltimore) January 16, 2019
Police continue to investigate what led to the shooting between the officer and suspect.
"We don't have any information to what happened in that alley, we'll be able to find that information out later in the investigation," Jones said.
This story is developing, stay with WJZ for the latest.
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