Would-be robber shot by armed citizen at the bank

Historic City News learned that a man attempted to rob the Compass Bank located in the Bartram Oaks Walk shopping center in Julington Creek this morning, only to be shot by a citizen who happened to be at the bank, saw what was going on, and was carrying a handgun.

St. Johns County Sheriff David Shoar held a press conference at the scene at 12:45 p.m., but only a few details were shared at this stage in the investigation.

The incident was reported only an hour earlier, at 11:45 a.m. this morning. According to witness’s accounts, the robber was inside the bank building and either was, or was believed to be, armed.

Shoar acknowledged that the shot was fired by an armed citizen whose name is not yet being released. The would-be robber was transported for treatment by air ambulance to an unnamed Jacksonville area hospital, the condition of his injuries is unknown.

Detectives with the Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit are continuing their investigation. Historic City News is told that additional details will be released when they become available.