News

Actions

Robbery suspect surrenders after 11 hostages taken at Florida bank

Posted at 11:23 AM, Dec 01, 2016
and last updated 2016-12-01 11:23:05-05

(Fox News) A bank robbery suspect surrendered and released 11 hostages after an armed standoff lasting for hours Thursday morning in Jacksonville, Fla., investigators confirmed.

One hostage texted that two people were shot during the standoff at the Community First Credit Union, Fox 30 reported.

Aerial video showed several hostages slowly walking out of the bank some two hours after the standoff began. It was unclear whether anybody was hurt. Officers used a battering ram to break down the door.

Investigators did not immediately name the suspect.

Latasha Sherman told Fox 30 her 18-year-old son was working inside the bank — and that hours after she started trying to call him, he texted her back saying he was safe. She said he’d been working at the bank for just a few months.

Police ordered people to evacuate the area while the hostage situation was under way.

Two 911 calls came in — one reporting a robbery, and one reporting the gunshot, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Melissa Bujeda told reporters.