Correction: Newport News originally released the spelling of the suspect’s first name as Stephan. On Monday, they issued a correction. It is spelled Stephen.
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) — Newport News police are investigating an armed bank robbery at a Navy Federal Credit Union that led to two people being detained Saturday. Officers shot a third armed suspect, who later died, police said.
“I’m thankful that all of our officers are going home today, but with that said I understand we still have a loss of life and that matters to me,” Newport News Police Chief Steve Drew said during a Saturday evening news conference.
Just before noon, an employee said that an armed man showed a gun and demanded money at the bank in the 12000 block of Jefferson Avenue. One witness told 10 On Your Side what she experienced.
“I just started texting my husband and my son and I said I’m currently in a bank robbery, he has a gun call the police hurry up,” Mia Harrod said.
The suspect was handed a bag of money, then fled the scene in a vehicle. Once at the bank, police were able to gather information from witnesses that the suspect fled and had gotten inside a red SUV.
According to Chief Drew, officers found the vehicle and initiated a high risk traffic stop five minutes after the robbery, in the 3100 block of Radius Way, in the Jefferson Market Place Parking lot.
“We saw a lot of police activity and we went over to the parking lot and that’s when we saw everything unfold,” witness Joe Festa told WAVY.
The vehicle contained three individuals. The man driving and the woman in the front seat exited the vehicle separately in response to officer commands, and were detained. Police confirmed Monday, they are not currently facing charges.
The last individual was a man located in the back seat. Police said he exited the vehicle and pointed a firearm directly at officers. Officers fired their weapons, striking the suspect. He was taken to the hospital where he died around 1:05 p.m.
Chief Drew never said the suspect fired.
There is video circulating on social media which WAVY has obtained that shows the shooting. Chief Drew acknowledged the video, but would not comment on it, saying it was being looked at as evidence.
Forensics responded and recovered shell casings, a loaded firearm next to the suspect, a bag from Navy Federal Credit Union in the back seat and money, among other items, according to Chief Drew. He said there was also clothing in the vehicle that matched the description of what the credit union armed robber was wearing.
The suspect who died was identified as 39-year-old Stephen Williams of Hampton. The officers involved are currently on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. The investigation remains ongoing.
“Whenever you have a police-involved shooting they are handled and investigated just like any other shooting or homicide in our city, the detectives will put the case together they will submit that to the commonwealth’s attorney and they will render a decision,” Drew said.
10 On Your Side asked if they would be releasing surveillance video from the robbery or police body camera video. A spokesperson said because of the ongoing criminal investigation, this video will not be released at this time.
This is the fourth shooting involving police officers in Newport News this year. The Commonwealth’s Attorney ruled the first two as justifiable. A decision on the third shooting has not been reached yet. Saturday’s shooting is the fourth.
Continue to check WAVY.com for updates.