Suspected bank robber dies in San Bernardino after gun battle with authorities

Law enforcement in San Bernardino killed a suspected bank robber after the suspect opened fire on authorities following a pursuit.

According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, the suspect tried to rob two banks. The first attempted robber was at a Grand Terrace bank, however, it was closed. The suspect then robbed a Chase Bank in Colton at gunpoint. The Colton Police Department then began to chase the suspect. Shortly after, when they entered the city limits of San Bernardino, deputies joined the pursuit.

At about 3:30 p.m., the suspect then drove over a spike strip, causing them to lose control of their vehicle and crash into a county work truck occupied by workers.

The suspect then reportedly pulled out a rifle as authorities attempted to approach the vehicle. The suspect then opened fire.

"At one point one of the suspects had pulled out a rifle," said witness Na Chan. "He said something like 'He had a something for the cops.' At that time the cops had pulled the trigger on them to let them know if you're going to do that we're going to fire, and so they fired."

According to Chan, authorities told the workers to duck down before returning fire and killing the suspect. 

"These are very split-second decisions our deputies and officers have to make while balancing their safety and the safety of the public," said SBCSD Lt. Jeff Allison.

No one else was wounded or killed.