A bank security guard in Rockford, IL., will not face criminal charges for fatally shooting a bank robber during an attempted robbery in January.
Brian Harrison, a former Winnebago County deputy, is now being called a hero.
“There is no doubt in my mind the actions of Brian Harrison saved the lives of those that were employees in the Alpine Bank location on that date and saved his own life,” Winnebago County State’s Attorney Joe Bruscato told WIFR News.
According to reports, the scene in the bank that day was quiet like many others. The situation turned chaotic when bank robber Laurence Turner entered the branch and discharged his weapon into the ceiling … he then fired at Harrison.
Harrison, relying on more than 30 years of law enforcement training and experience, executed his duties in textbook fashion without hesitation.
“They are taught generally to shoot center mass in the body. This is a very dynamic, fluid situation and he’s doing what he was trained for 30 years to do and it was eliminate and take care of the threat,” Rockford Police Chief Dan O’Shea told WIFR News.
Police say Turner, 34, is being linked to three additional armed robberies in 2016 and said the criminal was on drugs the day Harrison placed two rounds in his chest before the thief expired at the scene.
WIFR News reports security guards are required by the state of Illinois to complete 40 hours of training in order to be able to carry a gun, and security guards are often retired or part-time police officers.
Video surveillance at the bank shows Harrison preforming his duties.
WIFR News also reports there were no customers in the branch at the time of the attempted robbery, and all bank employees were safe due to Harrison’s actions.
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