Wachovia Bank Robbery Leaves Two Dead, Two Wounded in Alabama

BIRMINGHAM-Bank robbers at a Wachovia bank in Alabama took the lives of two bank employees and wounded two others on Monday. FBI spokesman Paul Daymond said he is not sure the bank was even open for business when the gunmen entered the bank and shot four people.

Jefferson County Sheriff's officers said that the two who were killed in the robbery were bank employees. The fatal robbery occurred around 9 a.m., FBI spokesman Daymond stated.

After the robbery, the suspects then took a woman hostage and exited the bank, about the time that a Jefferson County Deputy happened to be driving by. The FBI spokesman said that the deputy spotted a man coming out of Wachovia bank with a hostage.

Jefferson County Sheriff's Deputies said the man was holding a gun to the head of a woman when he then tripped. He was immediately shot by deputies and apprehended. No word has been given as to the whereabouts of the second Wachovia bank robber, who apparently escaped.

The suspect in custody, whose name was not immediately released, was taken to the University of Alabama Hospital in Birmingham.

The two Wachovia Bank employees who were wounded were also taken to UAB Hospital. Anita Gordon was listed in serious condition and Latoya Freeman is scheduled to be released next week, according to sources, on Monday.

It is still unclear if any money was taken during the fatal robbery.

Crime scene tape was placed around the Wachovia Bank branch's one-story brick building, which is located next to a Motel 6 near downtown Bessemer.

Wachovia bank issued a statement after the fatal robbery, saying, "The safety and security of our employees and customers is our top priority. We have a number of processes and procedures to protect our branches and facilities. This is a tragic and unfortunate situation, and our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families."

The manhunt for the second gunman was underway in the direct vicinity of the bank, as sources said police and dogs searched for the escaped bank robber.

Sherry Piazzo, an acquaintance of a Wachovia Bank branch manager in Birmingham, commented, "It must be a terrible thing to go to work expecting a normal Monday routine but to then be shocked with such a horrendous tragedy. My heart goes out to the employees of Wachovia bank and their families."