LCSO: SWAT sniper kills man who held 2 hostages during attempted bank robbery

An attempted bank robbery turned deadly at the Bank of America near the Bell Tower Shops in Lee County.

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that 36-year-old Sterling Ramon Alavache was the attempted bank robbery suspect.

During a press conference Tuesday afternoon at the scene, Lee County Sheriff Marceno said a SWAT sniper shot and killed the suspect while he held two hostages at knifepoint.

“We tried to negotiate with him continuously,” said Lee Sheriff Carmine Marceno. “At one point of the negotiations, he became physical. He started to put one of the hostages in a headlock, and he had the knife to her throat.

Attempted Bank Robbery Rundown

The sheriff said deputies quickly entered the bank.

“As dozens of people ran out, [deputies] began to secure all other portions of the building while simultaneously hostage negotiations began with our suspect,” said Marceno.

Marceno said after the suspect entered the bank, he made a bomb threat and became physical with the hostages, at one point holding the knife to one of their throats.

“SWAT team was in place,” said Marceno. “When he presented deadly force like that, our SWAT sniper shot and killed the suspect … We were in fear for her life and her safety.”

Marceno said the SWAT sniper is now on routine administrative leave, as the investigation continues.

Witnesses Describe Hostage Scene

Marsha Brown told WINK News she was inside the Bank of America when the man ran in saying he had a bomb.

“He came running in, and he was screaming, ‘I have a bomb. I have a bomb,'” said Brown. “He [the suspect] said, ‘I have a bomb, and I will use it.'”

She said she was able to get out before the violent hostage situation unfolded.

“He wasn’t trying to retain us at all. He just said, ‘Get out.’ and we all ran,” said Brown. “I didn’t know that he had hostages. He was young. Foolish, very foolish. No mask.”

Jonathan Spellman, a man who works in the building, told WINK News what he saw.

“The elevator doors opened quickly, and I saw negotiations between police and someone. I could not see, so I quickly closed the door and went back to my office,” said Spellman.

Spellman explained what it sounded like he was overhearing.

“Sounded like they were discussing weapons and things like that, I’m not sure, was trying to close the door so fast. [It] became apparent something was not right,” said Spellman.

Brett Sands, another building employee, told WINK News a teller was among those taken hostage.

“He jumped the counter, and he assumed one of the tellers,” said Sands. “He was using a box cutter or knife and was holding that against her, and that’s what we heard when the sheriff’s department gave the order to remove the culprit.”

At 1 p.m., the FBI said the situation had been resolved. The LCSO Command Center and Hazardous Device Unit are still at the scene.

We want to share more stories from inside that bank today. If you were there, please reach out to us at tips@winknews.com.

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