An armed bank robbery suspect who crashed while fleeing from authorities was shot and killed by Broward Sheriff's deputies during a confrontation in Pompano Beach Monday morning, officials said.
The incident began shortly before 10 a.m. when a TD Bank at 3785 N. Federal Highway in Oakland Park was robbed at gunpoint.
No shots were fired and no one was injured in the robbery.
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A short time later, the vehicle involved in the robbery was spotted and deputies tried to stop it, Broward Sheriff's Office officials said.
The suspect fled, leading to a pursuit, but as the suspect started driving erratically, BSO relied on their aviation unit to track him, officials said.
"The suspect fled and just recklessly was in and out of traffic all throughout the Pompano area," Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony said.
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The suspect eventually crashed into a pole around 10:30 a.m. in the area of Northeast 4th Avenue and East Atlantic Boulevard in Pompano Beach.
Deputies tried to get the suspect to surrender for several minutes but he refused to comply, and at one point he set the vehicle on fire, officials said.
"He failed to comply, probably after about eight minutes or so of our deputies trying to get him to come out," Tony said. "We also noticed that at some point, it appears he set the car on fire while he was inside."
When he showed a firearm, four deputies opened fire, killing him at the scene, officials said. He was later identified as 63-year-old Robert Gene Bigney, who officials said has a criminal past.
"He stepped out to engage the officers and they shot him in between the door frame," Tony said. “At some point, got out of the vehicle, presented a firearm toward our deputies and four of our deputies fired and put the suspect down.”
Cellphone footage from a witness showed deputies opening fire as flames and thick black smoke rose from the car.
Aerial footage showed multiple Broward Sheriff's Office vehicles and deputies in the area which was closed off with yellow police tape. The suspect's car was up on a sidewalk and his body was covered by a yellow tarp.
Witnesses said the shooting scene was a bit chaotic as deputies and firefighters tried to get things under control.
"The police trying to tell people to move, get inside, get away," witness Dominique Louis said. "You don't want to see this happen, especially where you live."
BSO officials said the circumstances of the shooting are under investigation.
No other information was immediately known.
Check back with NBC 6 for updates.
