A convicted felon who claimed to have a bomb commandeered a bank and took two hostages in Fort Myers, Florida, on Tuesday. When negotiations broke down and the suspect appeared to be about to slit the woman’s throat, a SWAT sniper fired a well-placed shot to restore order.
Shortly after 11 a.m., the Lee County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a robbery in progress with multiple hostages taken at the Bank of America in Bell Tower.Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno
Said “It was a chaotic scene,” he said at a news conference Tuesday.
A man holding a knife and claiming to have a bomb reportedly stormed into the bank and jumped over the counter. The suspect was identified as 36-year-old Sterling Ramon Aravash.
LCSO indicated that Alabash is a convicted felon with an extensive criminal history, including drug trafficking, aggravated assault, and illegal carrying of concealed firearms in various states. WZVN-TV I got it. Aravash has been arrested three times in the past in Charlotte County alone.
With assistance from the FBI, the LCSO deployed robotic dogs, SWAT teams, electronic surveillance, and drones to resolve the incident.
“A group of deputies quickly entered the building and as people fled, dozens of people escaped and began securing all other parts of the building, while hostage negotiations with the suspects began.”
Said Marceno.
Deputies tried to negotiate until Mr. Alabash allegedly began assaulting the hostages.
“At one point during the negotiations, he got physical. He started putting one of the hostages in a headlock and held a knife to her throat. A SWAT team was in place,” Marceno said. “When he displayed such deadly force, our SWAT sniper shot and killed the suspect. We feared for her life and safety.”
It appears that all the hostages and members of Congress escaped the ordeal unharmed.
Authorities have not confirmed whether Mr. Aravash was actually carrying explosives.
“This is a sad day when innocent lives are put at risk due to the senseless actions of others,” the sheriff said.
Said In a subsequent statement. “Today, my family was forced to make the difficult decision to neutralize an active threat to the public in a highly volatile situation. We want to remind you of how important it is to remain vigilant. Let me remind you.”
LCSO confirmed to WZVN that the sniper who fatally wounded the bank has been placed on administrative leave, per protocol.
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