Joliet Bank Robbed, Suspect Killed
A man wanted in connection with a bank robbery that occurred February 6 died after being involved in a shootout with Joliet Police the same day. The incident took place in the 200 block of South Des Plaines Street, according to witness statements.
At about 9:30 a.m., First Midwest Bank at 1415 W. Jefferson St. was robbed, Joliet police Sergeant Christopher Botzum said. Botzum mentioned that there were no injuries and, at the time of the statement, the suspect had fled the scene and was still at large. The amount of money stolen has not been disclosed.
No officers or civilians were injured during the shooting that happened shortly after the robbery. On Wednesday night, the Will County Coroner's Office identified the culprit as 38-year-old Bruce W. Carter Jr. of Joliet. Carter was pronounced dead at 11:55 a.m. at Presence St. Joseph Medical Center, the coroner's office announced. The preliminary cause of death was from multiple gunshot wounds.
Following the shootout, Joliet Patch reporters went to the scene of the shooting and interviewed an older man who said he witnessed the entire ordeal, but requested that his name not be published. The shooting happened less than three blocks away from the Joliet Police Station. The witness said that at least five police officers were outside the house after having tracked Carter to the property, which is the house of Carter’s mother.
While the officers were still outside, Carter emerged on the front steps of the house and began firing his gun at the Joliet Police officers. Eyewitnesses said the Joliet Police officers were definitely justified for shooting Carter in self-defense.
The witness said he could not say for certain how many shots were fired by Carter versus how many shots were fired by the police, but Carter had definitely fired his gun at the police first, he stressed.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of The Herald-News
