Two Bank Employees Shot Dead in Kentucky Robbery; Person of Interest in Custody
A masked gunman walked into a US Bank branch in Berea, Kentucky on Thursday afternoon and shot two employees dead during a robbery, sending the small city southeast of Lexington into lockdown and triggering one of the largest manhunts the region has seen in recent years. By Friday morning, Kentucky State Police announced that a person of interest was in custody.
What Happened Inside the Bank
The shooting took place at the US Bank branch on Chestnut Street in Berea at approximately 2 p.m. Thursday. State police said the suspect — described as roughly 6 feet 3 inches tall and wearing a light-colored hooded sweatshirt, dark gloves, gray pants, and light-colored athletic shoes — entered the branch masked and armed. He shot a male and a female employee and fled the scene.
The victims were identified Thursday night by Trooper Justin Kearney of the Kentucky State Police as Breanna Edwards, 35, of Madison County, and Brian Switzer, 42, of Jessamine County. Both died at the scene.
The Chase
Law enforcement spotted a vehicle believed to be connected to the shooting in Berea and attempted to stop it. The driver fled, leading police on a chase that crossed county lines — from Madison County into neighboring Fayette County. The pursuit ended when the suspect crashed the vehicle into a tree near the intersection of Bryan Station Road and Johnston Road in Lexington. A search of the surrounding area was launched immediately.
The response involved a significant deployment of resources. Helicopters, drones, and K-9 units worked the scene alongside officers from the Lexington Police Department, multiple county sheriff's offices, the FBI, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Law enforcement also canvassed door to door in search of surveillance footage and witnesses.
"At this time we do have some leads, and we're trying our best to bring this evil person to justice," state police Trooper Scottie Pennington told reporters Thursday.
Schools Locked Down
The shooting sent area schools into lockdown while police worked to determine whether the suspect remained in the vicinity. Students were not allowed to board buses and had to be picked up directly by parents. Schools were eventually cleared when campuses were deemed safe.
Berea is a small city of roughly 16,000 people best known as home to Berea College, a liberal arts school with a distinctive tuition-free model. It is not a city accustomed to this kind of violence.
The Arrest
By early Friday, Kearney posted on Facebook confirming that a person of interest had been taken into custody and was "believed to be involved" in the robbery. No name was released and charges had not been formally announced as of the time of the update.
"This was a team effort," Kearney wrote. "Appreciate the assistance from the Lexington Police Department, our federal partners, and the other agencies involved."
US Bank issued a statement expressing condolences and indicating that the bank was cooperating with law enforcement. "We're deeply saddened by the tragic event that took the lives of two of our employees at our Berea, Kentucky branch," the company said. "Our hearts go out to the families of the victims, our colleagues and the entire Berea community."
In Berea, the investigation is active. The suspect's identity, motive, and the full circumstances of the robbery remain under investigation by Kentucky State Police and federal authorities. No additional details about the person in custody have been released.
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