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At least five people were fatally shot Wednesday afternoon at a Florida bank, Sebring Police Chief Karl Hoglund announced at a press conference.
According to Hoglund, the suspect, identified as 21-year-old Zephen Xaver, allegedly called 911 at shortly after 12 p.m. to report he had entered a SunTrust bank and started shooting.
The suspect is now in custody, Hoglund said.
The number of injuries was not immediately clear.
The names of the fatal victims have not been released. It wasn’t clear if the victims were customers or employees of the bank, which is located on U.S. 27.
Hoglund said at the press conference the victims were “senselessly murdered.”
According to a prior statement from the Highland County Sheriff’s Office, responding authorities unsuccessfully tried to get the suspect to exit the bank. Subsequently, the SWAT team entered the bank and continued negotiations, during which the suspect eventually surrendered.
It wasn’t immediately clear if the suspect was injured.
ABC
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Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said at the press conference, “This is a terrible day for Sebring, Highlands County and for the state of Florida.”
Sebring is in the south-central part of the state, and had a population of just over 10,000 as of the 2010 US Census.
Police will release additional details during an 11 a.m. press conference Thursday, Hoglund said.
Karen Mizoguchi
source: people.com
