At least 5 shot dead in hostage situation in at Florida bank

A gunman stormed a bank in Florida and barricaded himself inside, then made a chilling 911 call telling authorities he had fired shots.

A gunman who stormed a bank in Florida killing everyone inside called police himself saying he had “shot five people”.

The man, identified as former prison guard Zephen Xaver, 21, entered the SunTrust Bank in Sebring in Florida on Wednesday. He barricaded himself inside of the building, entering into tense negotiations with police.

According to Sebring Police Chief Karl Hoglund all the people who had been inside the bank at the time of the attack — “at least five people” — were killed.

Police said after entering the bank, the gunman fired multiple shots inside the building before informing police.

In the chilling 911 call Xaver said, “I have shot five people”, according to a joint police statement released by the Sebring Police Department.

The call was responded to by Sebring Police and Highlands County Sheriff’s Office deputies. Vision shows police and other emergency vehicles surrounding the SunTrust building.

Law enforcement officials responded to an emergency call from a person who claimed to have fired shots inside the building. Picture: AP

A Highlands County Sheriff's SWAT vehicle is stationed out in front of a SunTrust Bank branch, Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019. Picture: Chris O'Meara/AP

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Police negotiators initially tried to get him to exit, but were not successful. Sebring Police Chief Karl Hoglund ordered a SWAT team be sent into the building, and once inside, officers found multiple people had been shot.

The suspect eventually surrendered to the SWAT team, police said, where he was arrested.

GUNMAN A FORMER TRAINEE PRISON GAURD

The gunman has been identified as 21-year-old Zephen Xaver from Sebring.

Xaver had moved to Florida about a year ago, according to reports.

A man from Indiana claiming to be Xaver’s father said he was “heartbroken” at the news.

“I’m heartbroken for my son. I’m heartbroken for the victims,” said Josh Xaver told CNN.

He his son “had his troubles” but, “He wasn’t raised to be like this.”

Zephen Xaver resigned from his trainee job at Avon Park Correction Institution two weeks ago. He had worked at the Florida Department of Corrections prison for less than two months, starting on November 2 and resigning his position on January 9, according to Florida Department of Corrections spokesman.

Law enforcement officials investigate the scene where at least five people were killed at a SunTrust Bank branch. Picture: Joe Raedle/Getty/AFP

Five people have been killed in the hostage situation in Sebring in Florida. Picture: WFLA

Police have not yet established the identity of the five victims and it has not been confirmed whether they were employees of the bank or members of the public.

Highlands County Sheriff Paul Blackman said police have not yet been able to notify family members.

“This is a terrible day for Sebring, Highlands County and for the state of Florida,” Governor of Florida Ron DeSantis said.

“This is an individual that needs to face very swift and exacting justice.”

Sheriff Paul Blackman said the incident was the worst he had experienced.

“I have been in law enforcement all of my adult life and this horrific incident shocks and angers me more than anything I have encountered in my career,” Mr Blackman said..

“There is no excuse that can justify the cold-blooded murder of multiple victims.”

Originally published as At least 5 shot dead in hostage situation in at Florida bank