HORRIFIC Updates On Florida SunTrust Bank Hostage Situation

As we mentioned earlier, a shooting broke out at SunTrust Bank in Sebring, Florida. Initial reports stated “several” people were down.

PHOTOS: ‘Several down’ after reports of armed person inside Sebring bank https://t.co/TTIwWWRxDO (Photos courtesy Highlands News-Sun) pic.twitter.com/lqQ970GaoD

— WFLA NEWS (@WFLA) January 23, 2019

WFLA is reporting that “several people are down” according to the Sebring Police Dept after reports of an armed person inside a SunTrust Bank. Suspect in Custody
pic.twitter.com/PR8pIQk4ui

— BreakinNewz (@BreakinNewz01) January 23, 2019

UPDATE: Sheriff’s office says Florida bank shooting suspect contacted police and advised them that he had fired shots in the bank; after being engaged by a SWAT team, the suspect surrendered. https://t.co/xWZhT2snqO

— NBC News (@NBCNews) January 23, 2019

We now have updates.

According to Daily Mail: 

The Sebring Police Department said on Facebook that officers responded to the SunTrust Bank branch located at 1901 US 27 South around 12.36pm.

Authorities said the suspect, identified as Zephen Xaver, had called dispatch to report that he had fired shots inside the bank.

Sadly, there are multiple fatalities to report:

Initial reports said multiple people had been injured during the shooting, but authorities confirmed during a press conference that five people had been ‘senselessly murdered’.
The identities of the victims have not been released pending notification of next of kin.

It’s unclear if those killed consists of bank employees or customers inside the bank during the incident.

Sebring police and deputies from the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene and established a perimeter.

Absolutely horrific.

No word yet on the motive behind this absolutely heinous act.