Corina Vanek

The Republic | azcentral.com

Phoenix police were searching for a suspect in an attempted armored-car robbery in central Phoenix Friday morning, according to a police spokesman.

Police said two armored-car employees were working at an ATM when they were approached by two armed men who were trying to steal money, said Sgt. Steve Martos, a Phoenix police spokesman.

The armed guards shot one of the men, who was later pronounced dead at a hospital, Martos said, but the other robber got away.

Police established a perimeter that stretched from Seventh Street to 12th Street and Glendale Avenue to Maryland Avenue as they searched for the male robber, Martos said.

Officers described the robber as a Black man between 20 and 25 years old, Martos said. The robber is between 5 feet 10 inches and 6 feet tall and weighs about 180 pounds, Martos said. He was wearing baggy pants, a gray shirt and a baseball cap when he fled the area, Martos said.

Officers do not know if the robber is still armed, he said.

A large rifle linked to the crime was visible underneath a car at the scene.

Matthew Shaner, who works across the alley from the bank, said he heard shots and saw a police officer running past him almost as soon he looked outside. Shaner said he saw the injured suspect laying on the ground and noticed that the man could not lift his head.

Shaner said the bank has been robbed at least three times in the last 7 years.

The activity forced schools in the area to lock down their campuses, according to parents.