Police Chief: Hostage In Stockton Bank Robbery Killed By Police Gunfire
(CBS13/AP) - The hostage who was shot and killed following a bank robbery and chase with police in July was killed by police gunfire, said Stockton Police Chief Eric Jones.
Stockton Police Chief Eric Jones said Monday that the results of a preliminary ballistics report show that Stockton police fired the bullet or bullets that killed 41-year-old Misty Holt-Singh.
Misty Holt-Singh, was found dead at the end of last month's robbery and kidnapping in Stockton, which included a running gunbattle between police and the suspects.
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Attorney Greg Bentley said he had filed public-records requests for 911 calls, photographs, video and any other evidence documenting the incident, as well as law-enforcement protocols for kidnappings, pursuits and the use of deadly force.
The family released the following statement on Monday after hearing the results of the report:
The Singh family was saddened to receive the ballistic information concerning Misty's death. The manner in which Misty's life was taken raises serious questions and concerns. The family is hopeful, however, that the promised information, policies, and procedures concerning the events of July 16 will be provided so that a fair, complete, and transparent investigation can take place.
Holt-Singh, 41, was among three women the suspects took hostage during the July 16 bank robbery. Holt-Singh was a customer whose 12-year-old daughter was waiting outside in the car. The other two women were bank employees.
A police pursuit and shootout followed when the robbers fled with the hostages in an SUV owned by one of the employees. The two bank employees survived the ordeal by either jumping or getting thrown from the SUV as it sped through town.
But two of the suspects and Holt-Singh were found dead at the end of a final gun battle. Jaime Ramos, 19, the third suspect who police say used Holt-Singh as a human shield, has been charged with murder.
Jones said police also did not know when she was killed.
