North Carolina repeat criminal reportedly robs bank and shoots at police officers

Repeat Offender Indicted After Bank Robbery and Shootout

A truck driver from North Carolina has been indicted on federal charges following a bank robbery and a subsequent shootout with law enforcement. According to authorities, Willie Edward McGee Jr. faces charges of bank robbery and discharging a firearm during a violent crime.

On December 26, McGee allegedly entered First Citizens Bank in Zebulon, North Carolina, demanding cash from a teller while claiming to have explosives. The teller handed him $3,234, after which he fled the scene in a semi-truck, according to police reports.

Subsequently, McGee’s truck was located in a nearby Hobby Lobby parking lot. Witnesses and officers stated that he exited his vehicle with a Ruger AR 5.56 rifle and opened fire on the police. Officers retaliated, striking McGee, but thankfully, no one else, including civilians or police, was harmed. Upon arrest, officers discovered both an AR rifle and a handgun that McGee reportedly used during the confrontations.

McGee comes with a lengthy criminal background, as local news outlets indicate he has multiple charges extending over two decades, with incidents recorded across Duplin, Wake, and Durham counties.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche labeled the case as “domestic terrorism,” emphasizing the seriousness of McGee’s actions. He stated, “This defendant not only robbed a bank but also threatened innocent civilians and fired at police officers.” Blanche warned that the Department of Justice is prepared to respond vigorously to such violence in communities.