Witnesses recount tense moments robber claiming to have explosive stormed into Orange County bank

A man who claimed that he had an explosive device was shot and killed by police outside of a Wells Fargo in Fullerton on Tuesday. 

"We heard a very loud shot and we saw them pointing their guns around the corner this way," witness Donna Kiley said. "We didn't know if they were shooting at the officers, [were the] officers shooting at them."

Officers were called to the bank, located in the 100 block of W. Bastanchury Road, at around 5:10 p.m. after learning of a possible bank robbery, where the suspect claimed that he had an explosive device inside a white box, according to a statement from the Fullerton Police Department.

"While inside the bank, witnesses stated the suspect produced what appeared to be an explosive device," the statement said. "Upon exiting the bank, an officer-involved shooting occurred."

The man was pronounced dead. Authorities identified him as 57-year-old Scott William Thompson from Tustin. 

Orange County Sheriff's Department's Bomb Squad was called to the scene to assist with the investigation. 

With SkyCal overhead, a large police presence could be seen outside of the bank. They had created a wide perimeter that was blocked off to the public as their investigation continued. 

Bomb Squad personnel could be seen operating both a drone and a robot, which were analyzing an unknown item lying next to the man who was on the floor outside of the bank. 

Video from the scene showed the moments that officers arrived on the scene with guns drawn, as well as the back of the business as employees ran to safety. 

Employees were evacuated due to the threat, according to Fullerton Police Department.

No injuries have been reported to bank employees or police.