At least 5 people killed in shooting at bank in Florida: police
01/23/2019 5:19 pm PST
via WXIN:
SEBRING, Fla. (WXIN/CNN) -- A gunman stormed a SunTrust Bank in Florida and killed at least five people on Wednesday, Sebring Police Chief Karl Hoglund said.
It was unclear if those injured during the hostage incident in Sebring were bank employees or customers, authorities said.
The victims have not yet been identified and family notifications have not yet been made, Highlands County Sheriff Paul Blackman said.
The suspect, who was identified as Zephen Xaver, 21, of Sebring, is in custody, authorities said.
Overhead video of the scene from CNN affiliate WFLA showed a heavy police presence, several ambulances and a large SWAT vehicle. Medical personnel entered the bank after the glass entrance to it was destroyed.
The incident began when a man called police at 12:36 p.m. and said he had fired shots inside the bank, according to police. Sebring Police and Highlands County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to the scene, according to police.
Initial negotiations to try to get the barricaded subject to exit the bank were not successful, so a SWAT team entered the bank and continued negotiations. The suspect eventually surrendered to the SWAT team, police said.
MORE: At least 5 people killed in shooting at SunTrust Bank in Florida, police say - WXIN