Banker robbery suspect shot by cops dies

By KOMO-TV

A bank robbery suspect Federal Way police officers shot Thursday night has died.

Police spokesman Dave Colglazier said the man died overnight at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.

Investigators said the shooting occurred while officers were searching for a bank robbery suspect in the 2100 block of South 296th Street.

At around 7:20 p.m. they caught up with the suspect, 24-year-old Joel Crom, who threatened to kill the officers, prompting them to open fire, officials said.

Police said Crom is suspected of robbing a Sterling Savings Bank branch in August.

On August 24, a man walked into the bank at 1700 South 320th Street and handed the teller a note reading, "No alarms or else you die." The man didn't display a weapon and no injuries were reported.

The incident was captured by surveillance cameras, and police later identified the robber as Crom.

The two officers who were involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure during investigation into officer-involved shootings. The two are said to be a 3-year veteran and a 13-year veteran of the force.

Police Commander Christopher Norman said the man was perceived to be "obviously very dangerous" based on "the violence from the prior robbery and the threats he was making towards the officers at the time."

The Auburn Police Department is handling the investigation.