TAMPA, FL -- Three robbery suspects are in custody and a fourth person is dead following a police standoff in Tampa.
Officers surrounded a home at 4612 East Paris Street looking for several suspects who robbed a Grow Financial Credit Union on Thursday. Police received a tip that the suspects were in a Chevrolet Yukon, and followed the car to the home.
One of the suspects ran down the street and was quickly caught, while two others ran into the home. A third person was inside the home, although its not clear if he was a friend of the suspects or was involved in the robbery.
Two suspects turned themselves in as soon as SWAT arrived, but a third man fired several shots at officers during the standoff. It ended when members of the Tactical Response Team barged into the home after shooting tear gas inside, and found the man dead.
According to the medical examiner, he took his own life.
He's identified as 20-year-old Demarcus Pittman. Detectives already had a warrant for his arrest for the robbery of a Bank of America branch on September 16.
The three suspects in custody are identified as 19-year-old Walter Wimbush, 22-year-old Mohammad Daa's, and Ismael Damon.
Wimbush is charged with Accessory after the Fact, Armed Burglary, Resisting Areest without Violence, False Imprisonment and Aggrvated Assault with a Firearm.
Daa's faces charges of Accessory after the Fact, and Robbery with a Firearm.
Damen is accused of Accessory after the Fact and Armed Roberry.
A fourth person, Christopher Harris is a freind of the suspects who lives in the home. He was not charged.
Earlier Thursday four Tampa schools were placed on lockdown as police looked for the same suspects at a home located at 1727 West Chestnut Street, but that no one was found at that home.
Students at Blake High School, Dunbar Elementary, Just Elementary, and Stuart Elementary were held as a safety precaution while Tampa police conducted looked for the suspects.
Investigators believe these suspects robbed the Growth Financial at 315 S Boulevard Thursday morning, and investigators believe these are some of the same men responsible for a series of other armed robberies, including several where the suspects wore elaborate disguises, such as surgical outfits or designer clothes.
Detectives are continuing their investigation, and say there may be additional suspects.
