Two bank employees killed in Berea robbery as police apprehend suspect

A suspect has been taken into custody following a deadly bank robbery in Berea, Kentucky, that left two U.S. Bank employees dead and prompted a large-scale police response involving multiple agencies.

The incident occurred around 2 p.m. on Thursday, April 30, at a branch of U.S. Bank in Berea, where a masked individual opened fire on two employees before fleeing the scene, according to authorities.

Kentucky State Police said law enforcement launched an immediate manhunt, working alongside the Lexington Police Department and other agencies.

Officials deployed helicopters, drones, and door-to-door searches while also reviewing surveillance footage in an effort to locate the suspect.

On Friday, May 1, police confirmed that a “person of interest believed to be involved” in the shooting had been apprehended. Investigators have not yet publicly identified the suspect or confirmed whether anything was stolen during the robbery.

Shortly after the incident, police released an image and description of the suspect, who was said to be wearing a light-colored hoodie, dark gloves, gray pants, and athletic shoes, and was seen fleeing on foot toward East Chestnut Street.

The violence prompted precautionary lockdowns at nearby schools, with students only released into the custody of parents or guardians as authorities secured the area.

The two victims, one man and one woman, have not yet been publicly named.

Officials described them as members of the local community, underscoring the shock felt across the city.

“This is a terrible day for Berea,” said Kentucky State Police spokesperson Trooper Scottie Pennington, adding that the victims were “our people that work in our community.”

In a statement, U.S. Bank expressed grief over the tragedy, offering condolences to the victims’ families and colleagues while pledging full cooperation with investigators.