Doug Johnson reports from Stockton where Stockton Police Chief Eric Jones spoke on the report saying bank robbery hostage Misty Holt-Singh was killed by police gun fire.

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STOCKTON—

Stockton Police Chief Eric Jones said Monday that Misty Holt-Singh, who was taken hostage in a bank robbery July 16, was killed by gunfire from officers.

“Misty Holt-Singh died from gun shots fired by police officers as they confronted the bank robbers who used her as a human shield,” said the police chief.

While Chief Jones was expecting that to be the case, he says it doesn’t make the situation any easier on his officers or Singh’s family. “Every one of us wishes this tragedy had ended differently,” said Chief Jones.

The department says Singh was hit by 10 bullets, all of which were police issued rounds. However, Jones says his officers had little other choice but to return fire.

“We wanted but never had the opportunity for hostage negotiations. The assailants were violent and attempted killing officers very early on,” he said.

Chief Jones says the surviving suspect, Jaime Ramos, is the one who needs to be held responsible for Singh’s death. “That is consistent with the cowardice act by the surviving and uninjured assailant as using her as a shield,” he said.

What is also disturbing, is Jones says the AK-47 used by Alex Martinez has now been tied to multiple other gang related shootings in the Stockton area, including at least one murder.

Meanwhile, investigators are still trying to bring the 4th suspect in the Bank of the West robbery to justice. “We’ve been getting tips,” said the police chief, “but we still need someone to come forward with actionable information. Please remember there is a $50,000 reward.”

Jones believes someone out there is keeping their mouth shut, at least for now. “Based on tips coming in, we believe that there are more people that know more information.”

Chief Jones said he did brief Holt-Singh’s family before letting this information go public, and he says he wants the investigation to stay as transparent as possible.