At least 5 dead filmed at the Central Bank of Florida; Suspect in detention: NPR



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The SWAT vehicle of a Sheriff of Highlands County is stationed in front of a branch of the SunTrust Bank on Wednesday in Sebring, Florida, where authorities claim that five people were killed in a shootout.

Chris O 'Meara / AP


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Chris O 'Meara / AP

The SWAT vehicle of a Highlands County Sheriff is stationed in front of a SunTrust Bank branch on Wednesday in Sebring, Florida, where authorities said five people were killed in a shootout.

Chris O 'Meara / AP

Updated at 10:10 pm According to officials, at least five people were killed when a man opened fire on Wednesday afternoon at a bank in Sebring, Florida.

At a brief press conference, Sebring's chief of police, Karl Hoglund, was appointed to 21 years. Zephen Xaver, of Sebring, as a suspect. Xaver is in custody.

"Today was a tragic day for our community," Hoglund said. "We suffered a significant loss in the hands of a foolish criminal who was committing a senseless crime."

At approximately 12:36, Sebring Police and Sheriff Highlands County Deputy Ministers responded to a branch of SunTrust Bank after a man called police dispatchers. and stated that he had fired shots at the bank.

The law enforcement officers who responded to the call began to negotiate with the gunman, trying to force him to surrender. A SWAT team from the sheriff's department entered the building and continued to negotiate with the shooter until he surrendered. The video footage of the scene showed a stand-alone building made of low-rise bricks, apparently damaged at one of its main entrances.

The police did not reveal any information about the victims, stating that they would provide more details on Thursday morning. They said that an investigation was underway, but that there was no more danger to the surrounding areas; Local schools were locked during the incident.

Later in the day, details of the suspect appeared.

Xaver was an online student from Salt Lake City. Stevens-Henager College from September to December 2018, when he retired. He was also a prison warden between November 2 and January 9, when he resigned, according to the Florida Department of Corrections cited by the Associated Press.

"This is an individual who has to face a swift and severe justice," Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said at the press conference. Senator Marco Rubio, R-Fla. The shooting was described as "tragic" in a tweet .

"We are deeply saddened by the tragic shooting this afternoon in our Sebring, Florida branch, we are working with those responsible and we are dedicated to fully responding to the needs of the individuals and families involved," he said. a statement Bill Rogers, CEO of SunTrust. "Our entire team is mourning this terrible loss."

The authorities have not yet suggested a motive.

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