Hostages released from bank robbery in Jacksonville, Florida
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Sources say at least 11 hostages were held inside a Community First Credit Union bank in Jacksonville, Florida. Two hours after the hostage situation began; the bank robber surrendered and is reportedly in custody.
Around 9:06 Thursday morning police got a call that a robber was holding up a bank with people inside. SWAT team and hostage negotiators were on scene. A local elementary school and day care was also on lock down.
The area around the bank was also shut down.
JXT4 spoke to a women whose 18-year-old son is an employee at the bank before the hostages were released, "they are just telling me that the employees are still inside with the robber." Her son has worked at the bank for around 3 months. She says this is a total shock.
“Mama is praying for you, I know you are covered."
The sister of an employee at the bank, who expressed her relief to WJXT4 that her sister is okay, said "you have to grab your family and tell them that you love them."