Police chief shoots, kills armed suspect at bank

PRINCETON, Ky. (AP) — Authorities say a police chief visiting a western Kentucky bank shot and killed an armed man who entered wearing a stocking over his head.

Kentucky State Police say Princeton Police Chief Don Weedman ordered the man to put down his gun, but instead the man fired at Weedman. Weedman, a former state police captain, returned fire and struck 67-year-old James E. Hamm of Princeton, fatally injuring him. No one else was hurt.

State Police say Hamm entered the Planters Bank in Princeton shortly after it opened Friday. State Police Trooper Stu Recke says Weedman “just happened to be there” when Hamm entered, carrying the gun and a tool bag.

Recke said the same bank was robbed Wednesday, but he said it was too early to know if Hamm was involved.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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