Bank Robber Shot By Officers

Los Angeles: A woman bank robber who had a hostage, was shot and killed by officers.

On Thursday, August 9, 2007, at around 12:40 PM, Mission Area patrol officers responded to a “Robbery in Progress” call at the Bank of America located at 13953 Foothill Boulevard.  As the officers took up positions outside the bank, additional information was received regarding the suspect having a hostage.  The suspect, a Hispanic woman, left the bank with a female hostage whom she was holding at gunpoint.  Shortly after exiting, the hostage broke free and re-entered the bank.  The woman did not comply with officers’ commands and pointed her gun at the officers.  An officer involved shooting occurred.  The woman received multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The investigation revealed the woman had presented a demand note prior to taking the hostage.  She is approximately 39 years of age.  Her name is being withheld pending notification to her family.

No officers were injured as a result of the incident.  Officer Walter Boyle, 42, with six years on the Department and Felipe Martinez, 25, one year and three months with the Department, were involved in the shooting.

A plastic semi-automatic replica was recovered at the scene.

Force Investigation Division personnel are investigating the shooting and the FBI and Robbery-Homicide Division personnel are investigating the bank robbery.