5 people killed at SunTrust Bank in Sebring, Florida, police say

Sebring, Fl- A gunman who barricaded himself in a SunTrust Bank in Florida killed at least five people.

The suspect called authorities to say he had entered the bank in Sebring and began shooting. Authorities identified the suspect as 21-year-old Sebring resident Zephen Xaver, who is in custody.

Zephen Xaver

The incident began with the phone call to authorities from the suspect around 12:36 p.m. He said he had fired shots inside the bank, according to police. Sebring Police and Highlands County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the scene.

https://www.facebook.com/HighlandsCountySheriffsOffice/videos/2011821355598453/

Initial negotiations to try to get the barricaded suspect to leave the bank were not successful, so a SWAT team entered the bank and continued negotiations.

The suspect eventually surrendered to the SWAT team at the bank along US-27, between Lake Jackson and Little Lake Jackson, police said.

The FBI and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement are assisting in the case.

I will be at the press conference at @HighCoSheriff Office at 4:30 p.m. EST to provide updates on the tragic shooting that occured earlier today. Please continue to keep the victims and their families in your prayers. https://t.co/Cxx5LOPEr1

— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) January 23, 2019

From the Highland County Sheriff’s office:

“At approximately 12:36 p.m. today, the Sebring Police Department responded to the SunTrust Bank at 1901 US 27 South in Sebring.

A subject contacted dispatch and reported that he had fired shots inside the bank. SPD officers and deputies from the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene and established a perimeter.

After negotiations to try to get the barricaded subject to exit the bank were not successful, the HCSO SWAT team entered the bank and continued the negotiations. The suspect eventually surrendered to the HCSO SWAT team.

I’ve directed FDLE to provide the necessary resources at the state level to assist with the ongoing investigation. This is an individual that needs to face very swift and exacting justice.

— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) January 23, 2019

The situation is confined to the bank and there is no danger to the surrounding area. US 27 continues to be closed in both directions from Golfview Drive to Lakeview Drive.”