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Machete-Wielding PA Bank Robber Took Hostage Before Justified Fatal Shot By Police: DA

A Lancaster police officer was justified in fatally shooting Luis Fuentes, a machete-wielding bank robber who took a hostage and threatened bystanders after fleeing the scene, the Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office announced on Tuesday, Feb. 18.

Luis Fuentes, 39, posted on Facebook at 7:00 a.m., "Soon you guys are gonna see me on national TV, and that means the world. It’s gonna be funny," followed at 7:40 a.m. by, "Being a nice guy doesn’t always work, but I’ll show you how nice I am!" Hours later, he was involved in a machete-wielding robbery that ended in a fatal confrontation with Lancaster police.

Fuentes died after being shot by police near his home in the 400 block of South Plum Street on Jan. 24, following an armed robbery at Fulton Bank on South Duke Street, District Attorney Heather Adams said in a release.

Fuentes entered the bank at 10:10 a.m. with a large machete and a duffle bag, threatening employees and a customer while demanding money. Surveillance footage showed him taking an employee hostage and repeatedly threatening to kill people during the five-minute ordeal, according to the DA’s office.

After leaving with cash at 10:15 a.m., Fuentes fled in a vehicle, leading police on a 12-block pursuit that ended at a road closure on South Plum Street. Despite 14 commands from officers to drop the machete, Fuentes ran toward a worker standing near a wood chipper, raising the weapon in a menacing manner.

An officer, believing the worker’s life was in danger, fired a single shot, hitting Fuentes in the lower back from about 25 feet away. Officers immediately performed lifesaving measures before Fuentes was taken to the hospital, where he died later that day, Adams said.

Fuentes was found with additional weapons, including a knife, hatchet, metal baton, and hammer. The DA's office reviewed surveillance footage, body-worn and dashcam recordings, 911 calls, and bystander interviews before determining the use of force was justified.

“This incident began when the suspect entered Fulton Bank wielding a large machete,” Adams said. “The events that unfolded were harrowing for employees and a customer whose lives were threatened during a violent robbery. We offer our condolences to the family of Luis Fuentes.”

The investigation involved Lancaster County Detectives, the FBI, Pennsylvania State Police, the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office, and East Cocalico Township Police.

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