Florida

Brinks Driver and Samaritan Shot During Botched ATM Robbery

WFLA-TV

Florida authorities were searching Friday for a man after a botched ATM robbery left two people wounded by gunfire east of Tampa.

Deputies swarmed a Brandon apartment complex about a mile from the shooting, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said. They believed the robbery suspect was holed up there but didn't find him after several hours.

Shots were fired during a scuffle outside a credit union between a Brinks security driver and the would-be robber, Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said during a news conference. A man authorities described as a good Samaritan was also shot as he came to the aid of the driver.

Chronister said both men were rushed to the hospital, and their injuries did not appear to be life-threatening.

Sheriff Chronister said the Brinks driver was attempting to reload money into the cash machine at GTE Financial when he was approached from behind by an assailant. A scuffle ensued, and shots were fired.

When the Samaritan saw the commotion, he bolted from his car to help fight off the assailant but was also shot, the sheriff said.

Several schools went on lock-down, Chronister said, but did so independently.

Deputies were trying to determine whether the suspect is the same suspect linked to multiple bank robberies throughout the Tampa Bay area.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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