Following a tense situation and standoff at a Bank of America in south Fort Myers on Tuesday afternoon, one man is deceased, and two hostages have been safely freed.

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with FBI agents, responded to a reported armed robbery incident inside the Bank of America at Bell Tower along US-41.

Deputies closed US-41 outside the bank, causing significant traffic disruptions in the vicinity. Within the bank, the situation intensified as a suspect, now deceased, took two individuals hostage, as reported by Sheriff Carmine Marceno.

Video footage captured the moments of intense negotiations between a deputy and the suspect within the bank lobby. A witness inside the bank recounted a young man leaping over the counter, claiming to possess a bomb, NBC2 reported.

Sheriff Marceno detailed that the suspect turned to violence, holding one hostage in a headlock while brandishing a knife at her throat. In response, a SWAT team sniper fired at the suspect, leading to the suspect’s demise.

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the deputy sniper involved in the incident has been placed on administrative leave, following standard protocol in such situations.

Written by B.C. Begley