NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — A deadly shooting investigation is underway after Newport News police officers shot an armed bank robbery suspect late Saturday morning.
The shooting happened just before noon at a shopping center parking lot on Radius Way, off Bland Boulevard and Jefferson Avenue, near the Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport.
In a Saturday evening press conference, Newport News Police Chief Steve Drew said that around 11:49 a.m., a man entered the Navy Federal Credit Union on Jefferson Avenue, displayed a firearm, and demanded money. He was given a bag with an undisclosed amount of money inside. He then was seen leaving in a vehicle with his gun still in hand.
Witnesses gave police a description of the vehicle, and within minutes, Drew said officers spotted the suspect vehicle and conducted a "high-risk traffic stop." The vehicle stopped at the Jefferson Marketplace Shopping Center.
Drew said officers got out with their guns drawn and kept a distance from the vehicle. According to the police chief, the officers gave the driver orders to exit the vehicle, which he did and was taken into custody without incident. Police then ordered the front passenger to exit, who did and was also taken into custody without incident.
Drew said that's when police called on the back seat passenger to exit. The person in the back seat allegedly did not immediately comply with commands. Moments later, Drew said the suspect got out of the back seat with a gun drawn and pointed at officers, who immediately opened fire, hitting the suspect.
Medics responded and gave the suspect first aid at the scene. He was taken to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries about an hour later.
No one else was hurt.
The man was later identified as 39-year-old Stephan Allan Williams of Hampton.
Drew said a loaded gun was recovered at the scene, and a bag with money matching the one taken in the credit union robbery was seen in the back seat of the vehicle.
Video shot by a bystander that purportedly shows the shooting was posted to social media and largely matches the description that Drew presented in his news conference, which the police chief acknowledged.
The officers who fired at the suspect have been placed on administrative leave with pay while the investigation is underway.
The shooting remains under investigation. If you have any information that may help detectives, you're asked to call the Crime Line at 1-888-562-5887. You can also submit a tip online at P3Tips.com.