Police shoot bank robber in hostage standoff

[cassanova]

So this guy releases 4 of the 7 hostages, which proves the negotiations are being somewhat successful and still gun him down.

Something about that just doesn't make sense to me. Perhaps, they should've remained in negotiations a bit longer than 3 hours? The article states the hostage sat down then the police opened fire. I'd think that if he was going to kill the hostage the article would've hinted at that. If it did, I must've missed it.

BTW, I think this is exactly how they wanted it to end or they would've remained in negotiations longer. Perhaps, I've seen too many movies.


http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?se...cal&id=7951462

CARY (WTVD) -- Police shot and killed a bank robber who took hostages inside a Wachovia bank at 1050 Green Level Church Road in Cary just after 6 p.m. Thursday.

"This is absolutely not how we wanted this to end," said Cary Police Chief Pat Bazemore.

Click here to watch Bazemore's news conference

The bank is located in the Cary Park Towne Center in an area west of Highway 55 near the intersection with Carpenter Fire Station Road.

Bazemore said her officers had been in negotiations with the robber - who she identified as 19-year-old Devon Mitchell of the 900 block of Pony Club Circle in Cary - after the standoff began around 3 p.m.

There were seven hostages in the bank at the beginning. Bazemore said two were released very early on and two more were released later in the afternoon.

Before the shooting, there were three people in the bank with Mitchell. One was hidden in an office in the bank and the robber wasn't aware he was there.

Just after 6 p.m., pictures from Chopper 11 HD showed Mitchell walk through the front door of the bank with a hostage. He was holding a gun to the woman's head. As he walked down the sidewalk, the hostage sat on the ground and officers opened fire. The hostage was not hurt.

Bazemore said none of her officers were hurt. She said five officers were involved in shooting the robber. They weren't immediately named. A check shows Mitchell had no criminal record prior to the bank robbery attempt.

During the standoff, a nearby Kids R Kids daycare near the bank was evacuated and nearby public schools were put on lockdown for two hours - including Alston Ridge Elementary, Mill Park Elementary, Mills Park Middle and Panther Creek High School. At 5 p.m., Alston Ridge and Panther Creek dismissed as usual. Buses took students from Mills Park, but students who walk were told their parents would have to pick them up.

A parent at Mills Park Elementary told ABC11 that she was told students were kept under their desks during the lockdown and teachers showed them movies to keep them calm.

Bazemore said her department's investigation into the incident was just beginning. She said the State Bureau of Investigation would be called in - as is routine in any officer involved shooting.

"I stand behind my officers and what they did," she said.

Wachovia Wells Fargo released a statement soon after the shooting.

"This is a tragic and unfortunate situation, and our thoughts and prayers go out to those who were involved. We are thankful that all of the customers and our team members present during this incident are safe. They were remarkably brave and courageous throughout this ordeal," it said.

The company also said it plans to offer counseling for the employees involved in the incident and will continue to work with law enforcement officials as they conduct their investigation.

[MJ5150]

Bummer deal, but you really don't want to go around robbing banks and then holding other humans hostage.

-Mike

[elgecko]

Sometimes, when you poke a big bear with a short stick the bear takes a swipe.

[Deluge Of Sound]

That's poor risk assessment if I've ever seen it.

[Waterpilot]

Just after 6 p.m., pictures from Chopper 11 HD showed Mitchell walk through the front door of the bank with a hostage. He was holding a gun to the woman's head. As he walked down the sidewalk, the hostage sat on the ground and officers opened fire. The hostage was not hurt.

Had the gunman shot the woman in the head, the cops would have been blamed for not acting fast enough.

Instead, the guy who brought a gun into a bank and held people against their will was killed and all the innocents survived. That's a bad thing?

[bassrique]

It's too early to make judgments but

Just after 6 p.m., pictures from Chopper 11 HD showed Mitchell walk through the front door of the bank with a hostage. He was holding a gun to the woman's head. As he walked down the sidewalk, the hostage sat on the ground and officers opened fire. The hostage was not hurt.

Smart lady I'm guessing. I'd like to see video of this. I'll speculate that she wanted to provide a clear shot. I'll further speculate that she didn't just "sit down". She may have faked a health problem so the shot could be taken.

[Staccato]

Yes, the gun guy had rights before he executed multiple felonies at the bank, but when hostage's lives are at stake, there are many considerations that take precedent over the bad guy's continued good health.

[Horny Toad]

Originally Posted by Waterpilot

Had the gunman shot the woman in the head, the cops would have been blamed for not acting fast enough.

Instead, the guy who brought a gun into a bank and held people against their will was killed and all the innocents survived. That's a bad thing?

+1

Obviously all we know is what's said in the article, and given that info I'd say the cops did a hell of a job.

[Number27]

Originally Posted by Waterpilot

Had the gunman shot the woman in the head, the cops would have been blamed for not acting fast enough.

Instead, the guy who brought a gun into a bank and held people against their will was killed and all the innocents survived. That's a bad thing?

My thoughts also. Well done the cops.

[Pilgrim]

Given that he committed a crime with a weapon and threatened others, I have no heartburn with the outcome of this event. He set himself up for this.

[Intenzity]

I am not aware of any state where armed robbery is a death penalty offense.

I was surprised to learn however that kidnapping for ransom is a death penalty offense in a couple of states, well... according to Wikipedia.

Hey, now that guy now knows what it is like to live in Washington. Cops in WA state have killed more than 10 people in separate incidents in the last 6 months. Some were in custody, some were not even armed.

[sandmangeck]

meh. good for the police. guy got what he deserved.

[Kwesi]

Originally Posted by Waterpilot

Had the gunman shot the woman in the head, the cops would have been blamed for not acting fast enough.

Instead, the guy who brought a gun into a bank and held people against their will was killed and all the innocents survived. That's a bad thing?

Couldn't agree more. Once you threaten the lives of others, as far as I'm concerned, the only reason for the police not to blow you to kindgom come is for the safety of those hostages. "Fairness" should be off of the table once you willingly and directly endanger the those around you.

[MakiSupaStar]

I'll say the police did amazing job controlling their weapons. Great shooting boys. No hostages hurt.

[Jim Campbell]

Originally Posted by cassanova

So this guy releases 4 of the 7 hostages, which proves the negotiations are being somewhat successful and still gun him down.

Something about that just doesn't make sense to me. Perhaps, they should've remained in negotiations a bit longer than 3 hours? The article states the hostage sat down then the police opened fire. I'd think that if he was going to kill the hostage the article would've hinted at that. If it did, I must've missed it.

BTW, I think this is exactly how they wanted it to end or they would've remained in negotiations longer. Perhaps, I've seen too many movies.


http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?se...cal&id=7951462

CARY (WTVD) -- Police shot and killed a bank robber who took hostages inside a Wachovia bank at 1050 Green Level Church Road in Cary just after 6 p.m. Thursday.

"This is absolutely not how we wanted this to end," said Cary Police Chief Pat Bazemore.

Click here to watch Bazemore's news conference

The bank is located in the Cary Park Towne Center in an area west of Highway 55 near the intersection with Carpenter Fire Station Road.

Bazemore said her officers had been in negotiations with the robber - who she identified as 19-year-old Devon Mitchell of the 900 block of Pony Club Circle in Cary - after the standoff began around 3 p.m.

There were seven hostages in the bank at the beginning. Bazemore said two were released very early on and two more were released later in the afternoon.

Before the shooting, there were three people in the bank with Mitchell. One was hidden in an office in the bank and the robber wasn't aware he was there.

Just after 6 p.m., pictures from Chopper 11 HD showed Mitchell walk through the front door of the bank with a hostage. He was holding a gun to the woman's head. As he walked down the sidewalk, the hostage sat on the ground and officers opened fire. The hostage was not hurt.

Bazemore said none of her officers were hurt. She said five officers were involved in shooting the robber. They weren't immediately named. A check shows Mitchell had no criminal record prior to the bank robbery attempt.

During the standoff, a nearby Kids R Kids daycare near the bank was evacuated and nearby public schools were put on lockdown for two hours - including Alston Ridge Elementary, Mill Park Elementary, Mills Park Middle and Panther Creek High School. At 5 p.m., Alston Ridge and Panther Creek dismissed as usual. Buses took students from Mills Park, but students who walk were told their parents would have to pick them up.

A parent at Mills Park Elementary told ABC11 that she was told students were kept under their desks during the lockdown and teachers showed them movies to keep them calm.

Bazemore said her department's investigation into the incident was just beginning. She said the State Bureau of Investigation would be called in - as is routine in any officer involved shooting.

"I stand behind my officers and what they did," she said.

Wachovia Wells Fargo released a statement soon after the shooting.

"This is a tragic and unfortunate situation, and our thoughts and prayers go out to those who were involved. We are thankful that all of the customers and our team members present during this incident are safe. They were remarkably brave and courageous throughout this ordeal," it said.

The company also said it plans to offer counseling for the employees involved in the incident and will continue to work with law enforcement officials as they conduct their investigation.

sounds to me like the cops got it right.........i've heard that recidivism rates for dead hostage takers is remarkably low.....

[cassanova]

Originally Posted by Waterpilot

Had the gunman shot the woman in the head, the cops would have been blamed for not acting fast enough.

True

Instead, the guy who brought a gun into a bank and held people against their will was killed and all the innocents survived. That's a bad thing?

The fact that nobody else was hurt is a good thing. But, Its always a bad thing when someone takes the life of another human being.

[Kwesi]

Originally Posted by cassanova

The fact that nobody else was hurt is a good thing. But, Its always a bad thing when someone takes the life of another human being.

I disagree, it's not a bad thing when scum is dealt with. Granted this man had not taken any lives yet but the potential was there and he placed himself in a situation that could have his life ended and it was. Had he not put the lives of others in danger with his actions I'd consider him being shot overkill (no pun intended) but he fact of the matter is that he did and paid the price. Considering possible alternatives I'm glad things turned out this way. In this case it isn't a matter of good or bad it was a matter of necessity.

[cassanova]

Originally Posted by bassrique

It's too early to make judgments but

Smart lady I'm guessing. I'd like to see video of this. I'll speculate that she wanted to provide a clear shot. I'll further speculate that she didn't just "sit down". She may have faked a health problem so the shot could be taken.

I'd like to see video of this myself. I'm curious to know if the woman was ordered to sit down or just decided to do it on her own.

The suspect didn't have any priors and he did release 4 of the 7 hostages. I can't help but wonder (at least a little bit) if he came to his senses and ordered/forced her to sit down and was then going to surrender. We'll never know because the article also implies that the idiot was smoked as soon as the woman sat down.

[Waterpilot]

Originally Posted by cassanova

I'd like to see video of this myself. I'm curious to know if the woman was ordered to sit down or just decided to do it on her own.

The suspect didn't have any priors and he did release 4 of the 7 hostages. I can't help but wonder (at least a little bit) if he came to his senses and ordered/forced her to sit down and was then going to surrender. We'll never know because the article also implies that the idiot was smoked as soon as the woman sat down.

As usual the article didn't tell us how the negotiations were going, his prior record or if he even had one turns out he had no prior record... His current mental status and what he was saying or intending...

It's possible that he was going to give up (Having a gun to her head wasn't a good start however...) but I didn't read where the others were let loose and could have just as easily been setting her up for an execution on TV. Just not enough info really... What we do know for sure is he was doing something he shouldn't have been, to put it politely...

[cassanova]

Originally Posted by Waterpilot

As usual the article didn't tell us how the negotiations were going, his prior record or if he even had one turns out he had no prior record... His current mental status and what he was saying or intending...

It's possible that he was going to give up (Having a gun to her head wasn't a good start however...) but I didn't read where the others were let loose and could have just as easily been setting her up for an execution on TV. Just not enough info really... What we do know for sure is he was doing something he shouldn't have been, to put it politely...

"There were seven hostages in the bank at the beginning. Bazemore said two were released very early on and two more were released later in the afternoon."

"Bazemore said none of her officers were hurt. She said five officers were involved in shooting the robber. They weren't immediately named. A check shows Mitchell had no criminal record prior to the bank robbery attempt."

I agree, there's definitely not enough info in the article, it divulges just enough information to want him condemned by society and just enough to portray the police as hero's.

Don't misconstrue that as me saying the cops were wrong for doing what they did, because that's not what I'm saying at all. Nor am I saying I condone the suspect putting other peoples lives in danger, because I don't.

Though, I will admit, with the disdain I have for the banking industry, (that I can't get into due to politics) there's a small, cynical part in me that wouldn't have minded seeing him get away with a small fortune of the banks money.