Bank Robber Shot & Killed by Shoreline Deputies

A man who had just robbed a bank was shot and killed early this afternoon by Sheriff's deputies assigned to the city of Shoreline. The man’s accomplice was taken into custody after a struggle. The dead man’s handgun was recovered at the scene.

The incident began when one of the suspects robbed the Alaska Federal Credit Union inside the Safeway store at 15332 Aurora Ave North (Shoreline) at about 12:15 PM. No gun was scene during the robbery.

The robber fled in a red, full-size Dodge pick-up, driven by the man’s accomplice. Two citizens followed the suspects in their own car and got 9-1-1 on the line. They told Sheriff's Office dispatch the suspects were parked in the rear lot of Hollywood Casino, 16716 Aurora Ave North.

Shoreline officers converged on the location and confronted both suspects, who by now were out of the truck in the parking lot. One of the men pulled a black, semiautomatic handgun, and was subsequently shot several times. Three officers fired. The second suspect would not comply with commands and started to walk away. He was Tasered and taken into custody without injury.

No officers or bystanders were injured.

The officers who fired included a 50 year-old sergeant who has been with the Sheriff's Office for 19 years; a 40 year-old detective who has been with the Sheriff's Office for 7½ years; and a 32 year-old traffic officer who has been with the Sheriff's Office for 9 years. All are assigned to the City of Shoreline.

The three officers are now on temporary administrative leave, which is standard procedure in officer-involved shootings.

At this point neither suspect has been identified. It is currently unclear if the man who went into the bank was shot, or the getaway driver.

Sheriff's detectives are working with the FBI to determine if the two suspects are responsible for any other robberies in the area.