Updated: FBI Agent Shot, Killed

Update: Video at right via AP link - They are still looking for two individuals using helicopters and dogs. Reports are sketchy.

Update: They aren't sure if it was three or four individuals. Apparently the shooting started as the FBI approached. Reports suggest multiple agents on a stake out. More photos here. They're still searching this area with helicopters and the highway is closed.

The agent didn't make it. Originally, one group of officers surrounded the bank outside my office window, but the actual robbery and hostage situation was down the street at another bank. There were police there, too - it wasn't a mistake, just an all units responding with what info they were getting at the time. They had assault rifles trained on this bank before the situation was clarified and they moved off to join with police at the other location. The FBI agent may have been staking out the bank. They don't usually just happen along.

Armed police officers stand over a handcuffed suspect (WABC photo)

Last I heard, two suspects in custody, one male still being sought.

READINGTON, N.J. (AP) -- An FBI agent was killed in a shootout with three bank robbery suspects Thursday in north central New Jersey, a law enforcement official said.

The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the agent's family had not been told of his death, said the agent was alive when brought to University Hospital in Newark by helicopter, but efforts to save him failed.

"He didn't make it," the official said.

Other law enforcement officials, also speaking anonymously because the investigation was ongoing, said agents were investigating a string of recent bank robberies in central New Jersey when they came upon the suspects leaving a bank near Route 22 in Readington. A shootout ensued.

One suspect was captured and two fled to nearby woods, the official said. State and local authorities are searching for the suspects with helicopters and dogs.

State Route 22 was closed off. A flood of police cars and officers from multiple law enforcement agencies were seen in the area.

Dawn Graner, a bookkeeper at Arvins Garden Center off Route 22, said authorities told employees not to leave the building because they're "looking for somebody," but she said they didn't say anything else.

There are helicopters over our offices here due to a recent bank robbery. Bummer, the guy took a hostage from where I usually get my lunch. He's still running. One of the copters was transport, the guy must be trying to make NYC.

READINGTON -- An FBI agent was wounded in a shootout this morning with at least one suspect holding a hostage in a PNC Bank on Route 22 in Readington, according to reports on police scanners. The suspect reportedly fled in a black Subaru and has taken another hostage, this time in a Quick Chek in Branchburg.

Scores of state and local police are arriving at the scene. The suspect is described as a heavy-set man, possible armed with an assault rifle, wearing a tan hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans and with a tattoo near his right eye.

The wounded FBI agent has reportedly been taken via NorthStar helicopter to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunwick for treatment of traumatic injuries

Check back for details as they develop.

Comments

[Victor]

They should send in Mitt Romney to save the day! A. His holy underwear will protect him. B. He has been a hunter pretty much all his life!

Go Mitt!!!!

[Zifnab]

"Yet the former Massachusetts governor's hunting experience came during two trips at the bookends of his 60 years: as a 15-year-old, when he hunted rabbits with his cousins on a ranch in Idaho, and last year, when he shot quail on a fenced game preserve in Georgia."

Good times, good times.

[Phoenix]

Oh, Dan. :(

I hope you get a house outside of town.

I'm also really glad you weren't there to see it or to be in danger, yourself.

[Victor]

Yeah, its really tough out in Readington, NJ. Lots of badasses coming in from Somerset. Be safe, Dan.

[Zifnab]

Phoenix, be careful there. You got a little lipstick on his collar.

[Dan Riehl]

its really tough out in Readington

LOL Well, I commute from close to Newark, so I think I can hang.

[Phoenix]

His 'collar'?

[Hard Right]

"Phoenix, be careful there. You got a little lipstick on his collar."

And you got lipstick on his di--

[Phoenix]

Oh, honey.... I know you can hang. Oh, I do. Indeed.

:)

[Zifnab]

"His 'collar'?"

"And you got lipstick on his di--"

Hard Right totally beat me to the punch line. Heh. Who said conservatives don't have a sense of humor?

[Victor]

Judging from Phoenix' posts, she doesn't understand subtlety. She understands vulgar.

[Phoenix]

'deed, I do, Vic.

Vulgar: The sound your bare fat sweaty junk-covered ass makes when you peel it off your vinyl desk chair to go get another Twinkie.

[Zifnab]

See, Phoenix understands that. "collar" goes right over her head.

[Victor]

I see that my reference to Phoenix' trailer-dwelling was removed. The truth must be too painful.

[templar knight]

Phoenix,

ROTFLMAO!!!!!!

Victor, you are in way over your head. You just got your clock cleaned. Big time. Skinned right down to the bone. It's ok, though, you'll feel better tomorrow.

[Victor]

Um, what exactly are you laughing at? You cons love to declare victory, huh? Like: only 1 US helicopter got shot down today in Iraq and the crew SURVIVED. Ergo, we are WINNING the WAR.

You guys are truly pathetic. Thankfully you're only about 30% of the electorate.

[Hard Right]

Damn. The agent didn't make it. I feel bad for his familly.
The libs here should be happy. Another "government tool" is gone.

[templar knight]

I laughing at you, Victor, and so is everyone else on this blog!

[Hard Right]

Victor, 1 helicopter got shot down and it means we are losing? You dumbass.

[Zifnab]

Like every night, Templar Knight has just pulled out and declared victory. Like every night, the rest of the board was left entirely unsatisfied.

Thank you for "the usual" Temp. Same time tomorrow?

[Hard Right]

BTW, good one Phoenix.

[Hard Right]

Hey Zif, some of us have a life and can't spend all day everyday on a political site with an opposing view being a troll like you can.

[pa]

What's that Jack in the Box guy doing on the scene? You see him standing there on the left in the photo?

[Zifnab]

"Hey Zif, some of us have a life and can't spend all day everyday on a political site with an opposing view being a troll like you can."

I hope you're not including yourself in that statement.

[Victor]

Yes, only 1 helicopter has EVER been shot down. The VICTORY that you cons have produced in Iraq is truly amazing.

[templar knight]

Whatever, Ziffy, but if you feel unsatisfied, my advice would be to find yourself a girl, or perhaps a boy in your case.

[Hard Right]

Yes, only 1 helicopter has EVER been shot down. The VICTORY that you cons have produced in Iraq is truly amazing.

Ah yes, if the enemy ever has ANY success we are losing the war. (roll eyes)

[Hard Right]

BTW, any of you libs care an FBI agent was killed? Obviously not. So much for being the one that care.

[Buzzy]

The face of the new left. They could care less that an FBI agent was killed, that an innocent person was taken hostage. To them somehow it's cause to post about Mitt Romney, then insult the host and other posters. Liberalism is indeed a mental defect and that should be plain for everyone to see.

This tragedy is not about politics, it's about a life lost, a family losing an important person, grief and sadness yet for some unexplained reason not a one of your posts even touched on that subject or on those points.

Some of you are sad excuses for humans and you should be deeply ashamed.

[j_123]

buzzy i agree with you completely...no one even cares about the death of the FBI agent i am extreamly upset about this whole thing, and i hope they catch those bastards.most of the people in this blog are just talking about stupid things. its really sad what the people in our country are turning in to....they are a bunch of selfish heartless pussys that dont know what they are talking about.

[Cindi]

What's that Jack in the Box guy doing on the scene? You see him standing there on the left in the photo?

Posted by: pa | Thursday, April 05, 2007 at 05:30 PM

ummmmmmm, that would be a light post.

Prayers for the agent and his family.

Phoenix...........you rock! lmao on the vinal chair sticking to Victor's scum infested brain. Not to mention is wife "Twinkie."

[David Burgess]

the third guy was captured this AM about 200 yards from Congoo.com corporate headquarters: http://www.congoo.com

[Phoenix]

What's that Jack in the Box guy doing on the scene? You see him standing there on the left in the photo?

Posted by: pa | Thursday, April 05, 2007 at 05:30 PM

ummmmmmm, that would be a light post.

Prayers for the agent and his family.

Posted by: Cindi | Thursday, April 05, 2007 at 09:03 PM

~~~~~~~

"ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, that would be a light post. Prayers..........."

I don't think there is another blog on this planet that is this nuts.

Cindi, let's start our own blog. We could name it: Ummmm, That Would Be a Light Post"

on second thought.... I'd die laughing for sure. I know. We could say no talking dirty. That might last half a thread. :)

Shew! You make me laugh.

[Alpha1x]

As a secret service agent, who has foregone his liefe for his country, I am sickened by America today. I risk my life every day to keep fat assed americans safe. Grow up people and remember you sleep safe in your beds because i dont.