Fort Myers, Florida – A dramatic hostage situation at a Bank of America branch ended in tragedy as a sheriff’s sniper fatally shot a bank robber, authorities confirmed.
The tense ordeal began when law enforcement swiftly responded to reports of a robbery attempt at the bank located just outside Fort Myers. Negotiators attempted to peacefully resolve the situation upon arrival. However, the situation escalated when the suspect, identified as 36-year-old Sterling Ramon Alavache, took two hostages within the bank premises.
Sheriff Carmine Marceno of Lee County recounted the harrowing events during a press conference, expressing concern for the safety of the hostages. “We were in fear for her safety,” Sheriff Marceno emphasized. “This is exactly what we train for. We train for worst-case scenarios.”
The suspect, armed with a knife and purportedly claiming to possess a bomb, held one of the hostages in a perilous headlock with the weapon pressed against her throat. Faced with an imminent threat to the hostages, a sheriff’s sniper took swift and decisive action, fatally shooting the suspect.