Two Killed, Another Injured During Bank Robbery

By West Kentucky Star Staff

CAIRO, IL - A man suspected of robbing the First National Bank in Cairo has been taken into custody, following a manhunt Thursday night.According to the Illinois State Police, their preliminary investigation indicated that a male subject entered the First National Bank for an armed robbery. Police say he was armed with a knife and handgun.During the incident, police said two bank employees were fatally injured and one was critically injured. The injured employee is being treated at an area hospital.Illinois State Police say they have one person of interest in custody.Officials have not yet released the names of the person of interest or the victims at this time.West Kentucky Star has learned that Illinois State Police apparently arrested the man about 9:25 pm. Reliable sources are telling West Kentucky Star in an exclusive that the two killed are women, and a third woman remains in critical condition after undergoing surgery.Sources tell us one deceased victim is from Kentucky, one is from Illinois, and the injured victim is from Massac County, Illinois. West Kentucky Star has been given the identities of the victims, but will only release the names when they are confirmed by law enforcement.Following the robbery, part of Washington Street in Cairo was closed, and the search eventually extended to a railroad bridge between Illinois and Kentucky. Sources said the man was armed, and Illinois State Police brought in a SWAT team and a helicopter after setting up a command post in Cairo.Multiple agencies from western Kentucky along with the Missouri State Highway Patrol responded, and all river and rail traffic was halted for a time.