A bank robber who took at least six people hostage and ordered them to strip down to their underwear was shot by police at an airport Wednesday as he apparently tried to make his getaway in a small plane, authorities said.
The man was taken by helicopter to a hospital. His condition was not immediately released by hospital officials. No one else was hurt.
"I would like to reiterate that everybody is OK," said police Sgt. Mike Butaud. "The hostages are all safe."
FBI spokesman Jeff Lanza said authorities were questioning a flight instructor and student who were on the plane, trying to learn whether they were in on the robbery.
The bank remained closed Wednesday afternoon while authorities were investigating.
Hostages bundled into van
Police and the FBI said the robber held up a bank in Olathe, about 25 miles from Kansas City, then ordered the hostages — four women and two men — into a minivan owned by one of the hostages. The hostage was forced to drive to the Johnson County Executive Airport, about two miles away, and pulled up next to a plane on the runway, authorities said.
Police and the suspect exchanged gunfire, FBI agent Jeff Lanza said. The suspect was outside the minivan when he was shot by police.
John Dicus, president of Topeka-based Capital Federal Savings, said he wasn’t sure yet if any money was even taken from the bank.
‘Like a traumatic movie’
“We are just waiting with our management team to talk with the employees who were in the office during the horrific event,” Dicus said. “We are standing by and also have counselors available for them and their families.”
Matt Braswell, a witness, told KCTV he saw the hostages come out of the bank in chains. “It was like a traumatic movie,” he said.
After police arrived at the bank, one shot was fired from the minivan while it was still in the parking lot, Lanza said.
