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.

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