WILLIS, Texas — An attempted robbery outside a bank in Willis led to the fatal shooting of a suspect Tuesday morning, according to the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office.
Deputies responded to the Chase Bank on I-45 near FM 1097 after reports of gunfire.
It appears at least two robbers tried to hold up a Brinks truck outside of the bank, near the drive-through. A Brinks guard shot one of those suspects while the other fled on foot. The wounded robber died at the scene. He was has been identified as 27-year-old Javahnte Jawun Parker.
As of 12 p.m. deputies, with the help of K-9 units, were still searching a nearby wooded area for the suspect who fled.
He was seen running across the road and, possibly, into a wooded area.
“HPD, DPS. Texas Rangers, FBI, ATF,” said said Willis PD Chief James Nowak. "They're all assisting."
A number of witnesses told police they heard lots of gunfire before seeing the suspect who was fatally shot collapse next to his car.
"Thank the Lord that Brinks was armed and ready and took him down," said John Stebbins of Willis. "And he paid a pretty big price for that.”
"Well, you know, you do the crime, you pay the price," said Mary Jones.
Jones was glad neither she nor her husband were here at the time shots were fired.
"He was supposed to have been here early this morning," said Jones. "I thank God that he didn’t come early this morning.”
Willis Police told us part of the investigation is to figure out if these suspects may be tied to other recent armored truck robberies in the Houston area.
It's the type of crime this town is not used to seeing.
“I’ve been here 15 years and we had one bank robbery several years ago," said Chief Nowak. "And this is the first time to have something like this.”
The second suspect was only described as a slender man wearing dark clothing.
Surveillance video from the bank may be released later.
Meanwhile, police ask that you call them if you have any information.
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