A gunman has killed five people at a bank in Florida, police say.
Police tape marks the scene where five people were killed at SunTrust Bank in Sebring, Florida. Photo: AFP / Joe Raedle / Getty Images
They said officers responded after a man called police from inside the SunTrust bank in the town of Sebring and said "I have shot five people".
The gunman - named as Zephen Xaver, 21 - had barricaded himself in the branch, forced people to lie on the floor and began shooting, according to police.
He surrendered after officers stormed the bank. The motive for the shooting remains unclear.
The incident took place just after 12.30pm local time at SunTrust Bank in Sebring, about 130km south of Orlando. Police said they were the only five people in the bank at the time.
Law enforcement officers speak at the scene outside the bank. Photo: AFP / Joe Raedle / Getty Images
"This horrific incident shocks and angers me more than anything I have encountered in my career," said local sheriff Paul Blackman.
In a statement, SunTrust chief executive Bill Rogers said the company was "deeply saddened by the tragic shooting".
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said the suspect is "an individual who needs to face very swift and exacting justice".
- BBC