A bomb threat prompted the evacuation of a Fullerton bank as SWAT team members swarmed the surrounding shopping plaza Tuesday night.
Fullerton police responded to reports of a bank robbery at a Wells Fargo located on the 100 block of West Bastanchury Road at around 5:09 p.m.
The male suspect allegedly claimed he had an explosive device, police said.
All employees and customers were immediately evacuated as officers, bomb squad members and SWAT team personnel surrounded the bank.
As the suspect exited the building, he was reportedly shot by officers.
A witness who saw the encounter play out recalls feeling scared for her safety.
“Police had their guns drawn and the door to the bank opened and the [suspect] came out,” recalled Jessica Serne, a witness. “They said, ‘Drop!’ but he didn’t listen, so they shot him. One shot and that was that.”
The man, who was seen lying on the ground near the front doorway, appeared unresponsive as officers sent in a robot and drone to investigate several items that were found near him.
Eventually, a robot was seen picking up a portion of the suspicious device and bringing it back to officers for analysis.
Several more drones and robots were seen entering the bank to clear the scene before officers eventually entered. Robots and a police K-9 investigated a parked car that may have belonged to the suspect.
Officers cordoned off the entire shopping plaza as the investigation remained ongoing. No employees or officers were injured during the incident, police confirmed.
The witness said she was stunned that such an incident could happen in Fullerton.
Neither the man’s identity nor current condition is known at this time.
This developing story will be updated. Sky5 footage of the scene can be viewed in the video player above.