Will County SWAT officer fatally shoots armed man at Romeoville bank: police

WILL COUNTY - An armed man who initially took hostages at a Romeoville bank was shot and killed by responding SWAT officers Tuesday afternoon.

The incident began around 3:40 p.m. when several individuals inside the Fifth Third Bank at 275 South Weber Road contacted the Romeoville Police Department saying an armed man was in the building demanding officers respond.

When officers arrived on scene, they were able to negotiate with the armed man who allowed an unknown number of hostages to safely leave the building, police said. Stores in the area were evacuated while police set up a perimeter.

"I've been here 15 years now and I've never seen anything like this before," said Lisa Coleman, who lives across the street. "I heard copters above my house and I came outside and I saw SWAT blocking off the intersection."

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The hostages told officers the man was indeed armed as he fired off several rounds inside the bank.

"Will County SWAT then engaged with the individual and one shot was fired by a Will County SWAT officer," said Romeoville Deputy Chief Brant Hromadka.

He says the suspect was hit and paramedics immediately rendered aid. The man was transported to an area hospital where he died of his injuries.

The motive is still unclear and police continue to look into whether this was a bank robbery or something else.

The Illinois State Police are conducting the investigation into the officer-involved shooting.

The suspect’s identity has not been released.