Salisbury Bank Robbery Suspect Shoots Victim, Leads Police On Chase, Dies In Shootout

SALISBURY, NC — Police have not identified the bank robbery suspect or the officers involved in the shooting, but witnesses are telling their story about the terrifying moments that led up to the deadly shooting.

Ramona didn’t want to give her last name, but she says she went into the Wells Fargo on Jake Alexander Boulevard to cash a check around five o’clock and couldn’t believe what happened next.

“A guy just come in, put your hands up, jump behind the counter, you know.”

Ramona says he demanded keys and wallets. Then he shot at her and the person beside her, hitting him, and then left.

“When he shot at me… I fell like I was dead and laid there, and then it looked like he was coming back.”

The suspect exited the bank and may have stolen a vehicle by carjacking, but at least took control of a vehicle.”

The Salisbury Police Chief says the suspect led officers on a chase before crashing into another car at the intersection of Jake Alexander and Lincolnton Street where police tried to take him into custody.

Chief Jerry Stokes says, “He either pointed or fired a gun at officers. The officers fired on the suspect… more than one officer fired, more than one shot was fired. The suspect was struck and has since died.”

Ramona says she is just thankful she’s going home alive.

“I’m so glad God saved me so I can be with my family, and that’s all I could think about was being with my family you know.”

Officials say paramedics took the man shot inside the bank to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

None of the officers involved were hurt. There’s no word on the condition of the person in the car the suspect hit.