At Least Five Dead in Shooting at Florida Bank

At Least Five Dead in Shooting at Florida Bank

Sebring police and Highlands County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the scene, where the suspect had barricaded himself in the SunTrust bank.

  • By Jessica Davis
  • Jan 24, 2019

At least five people were killed when a man opened fire in a bank in Sebring, Fla. on Wednesday afternoon, according to officials. The suspect, who barricaded himself in the bank, is now in custody.

According to Sebring Police, the incident began when the suspect called the police shortly after 12:30 p.m. and told authorities, “I have shot five people.” Sebring police and Highlands County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the scene, where the suspect had barricaded himself in the SunTrust bank.

After initial negotiations to try to get the suspect to exit the bank were unsuccessful, a SWAT team from the sheriff’s department entered the building and continued to negotiate. The suspect eventually surrendered to the SWAT team and was taken into custody.

“After an assessment of the scene we were sorry to learn that we have at least five victims, people who were senselessly murdered as a result of his act in this bank,” Sebring Police Chief Karl Hoglund said during a press conference Wednesday.

It’s not yet clear whether those shot were customers or bank employees, and police have not released further information about the victims.  

The FBI and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement are helping with the ongoing investigation. Investigators have not offered a potential motive and a police spokesman told WESH2 he did not know if the incident began as a bank robbery.

About the Author

Jessica Davis is the Associate Content Editor for 1105 Media.

Featured

  • Security Industry Association Announces the 2026 Security Megatrends

    The Security Industry Association (SIA) has identified and forecasted the 2026 Security Megatrends, which form the basis of SIA’s signature annual Security Megatrends report defining the top 10 factors influencing both near- and long-term change in the global security industry. Read Now

  • The Future of Access Control: Cloud-Based Solutions for Safer Workplaces

    Access controls have revolutionized the way we protect our people, assets and operations. Gone are the days of cumbersome keychains and the security liabilities they introduced, but it’s a mistake to think that their evolution has reached its peak. Read Now

  • A Look at AI

    Large language models (LLMs) have taken the world by storm. Within months of OpenAI launching its AI chatbot, ChatGPT, it amassed more than 100 million users, making it the fastest-growing consumer application in history. Read Now

  • First, Do No Harm: Responsibly Applying Artificial Intelligence

    It was 2022 when early LLMs (Large Language Models) brought the term “AI” into mainstream public consciousness and since then, we’ve seen security corporations and integrators attempt to develop their solutions and sales pitches around the biggest tech boom of the 21st century. However, not all “artificial intelligence” is equally suitable for security applications, and it’s essential for end users to remain vigilant in understanding how their solutions are utilizing AI. Read Now

  • Improve Incident Response With Intelligent Cloud Video Surveillance

    Video surveillance is a vital part of business security, helping institutions protect against everyday threats for increased employee, customer, and student safety. However, many outdated surveillance solutions lack the ability to offer immediate insights into critical incidents. This slows down investigations and limits how effectively teams can respond to situations, creating greater risks for the organization. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file.

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis.

  • 4K Video Decoder

    3xLOGIC’s VH-DECODER-4K is perfect for use in organizations of all sizes in diverse vertical sectors such as retail, leisure and hospitality, education and commercial premises.