Two Shot In Salisbury Bank Robbery, Police Shoot And Kill Suspect

Amy Cowman,

SALISBURY, NC– The FBI and the State Bureau of Investigation are involved as residents worry about Salisbury’s growing crime problem.

“I live like right down the street it’s not safe to have your kids outside or anything,” said Salisbury resident, Chelsea Mungro.

Longtime Salisbury residents say Thursday night’s bank robbery and shooting is another example of gun violence out of control in Salisbury.

“It makes me scared, very scared right now to the point where I have to walk home from work now and I don’t even want to be out here,” said Salisbury resident, Yasmine Sherrill.

Police Chief Jerry Stokes says the suspect, Paul Jones III, shot 61-year old Jose Santiago in the face and hand inside the Wells Fargo on Jake Alexander.  Jones then ran out of the bank and carjacked Larry Dalton,  threw him from the car and shot him in the head and arm. Jones crashed into another car as police chased him.

Salisbury Police Sergeant Michael Colvin, Officer Jay Basinger, and Officer Joseph Martinez tried to arrest Jones. The chief says body cam video shows they got into a shootout, which killed Jones.

“At least one shot was fired by Mr. Jones at Officer Basinger, Officer Basinger returned fire and sought cover,” said Salisbury Police Chief, Jerry Stokes.

At the end of October Chief Stokes announced the Department of Justice has agreed to partner with Salisbury Police to bring emergency help to tackle the crime problem.

“Clean it up, get all these gangs off the street,” said Salisbury resident, Athena Knox.

Residents say it’s terrifying to know innocent people are being shot.

“It affects me, I don’t even know if I can walk out of my house and come here to the bank and next thing I know I get shot, who knows,” said Salisbury resident, Larry Zenner.

Santiago who was shot in the face is in very critical condition at Baptist Hospital, Mr. Dalton is in stable condition. No officers were injured in the incident but all three per protocol have been placed on limited duty during the investigation.