Security officer in fatal shooting of attempted robbery suspect will not face charges

Updated: March 14, 2017

UPDATE: ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) -- The security guard behind the deadly shot that killed a bank robber inside Alpine Bank in January will not face criminal charges. That guard is now being called a hero.

"There is no doubt in my mind the actions of Brian Harrison saved the lives of those that were employees in the Alpine Bank location on that date and saved his own life," Winnebago County State's Attorney Joe Bruscato, said.

It took just seconds :From a quiet day inside Alpine Bank on N. Mulford to a masked gunman creating chaos. Surveillance video shows Laurence Turner coming in, shooting once into the ceiling, then at Metro Enforcement security officer Brian Harrison. Harrison is a former Winnebago County deputy who jumped into action.

"They are taught generally to shoot center mass in the body. This is a very dynamic, fluid situation and he's doing what he was trained for 30 years to do and it was eliminate and take care of the threat," Rockford Police Chief Dan O'Shea said.

Turner, who police say was on drugs at the time was shot twice and died at the scene. The Winnebago County State's Attorney's Office says Harrison's actions were justified.

Officers also linked Turner to three other armed robberies in November and December of 2016 at Mincemoyer Jewelers, Harvard State Bank, and Members Alliance Credit Union.

"Those cause greater concern, someone who's willing to fire a weapon rather than just carry it are always a little more important to us," Chief O'Shea said.

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UPDATE: ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) -- The Winnebago County State's Attorney's Office will not press charges against the security guard who shot and killed an attempted armed robbery suspect on Jan. 20.

The State's Attorney's Office says the Metro Officer involved was Brian Harrison. The office says Harrison was acting in his own self defense and the defense of others.

Police released the bank surveillance footage from the day of the shooting. The video has been attached to this story. Please be advised the video contains graphic content that may shock, offend, and/or upset some viewers.

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Updated: January 23, 2017

UPDATE: ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) -- The security officer who police say shot and killed an attempted robbery suspect on January 20 at Alpine Bank worked at Metro Enforcement Security. The company says the officer, whose name has not been released, is on administrative leave during the investigation.

Police say 34-year-old Laurence Turner of Rockford tried to rob the Alpine Bank at Spring Creek and Mulford Friday afternoon, firing a round into the ceiling before firing his gun at the armed security guard inside the bank. The guard then shot Turner. No employees were hurt and no customers were inside at the time.

Rockford Detective and Security Agency, a private employer for security guards like Metro Enforcement, says private security companies are held liable for any actions their security guards commit. Guards are required by the state of Illinois to complete 40 hours of training in order to be able to carry a gun.

Security guards are often retired or part-time police officers. All private security guards are not able to legally use their firearms for security purposes when they are off duty. Metro Enforcement declined to comment.

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Updated: January 21, 2017

UPDATE: ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) -- Rockford police say 34-year-old Laurence Turner of Rockford is dead after attempting to rob an Alpine Bank Friday.

Investigators say Turner entered the bank and fired a round into the ceiling. Turner then reportedly fired his gun at an armed security guard inside the bank. The guard shot Turner. He was later pronounced dead on the scene.

No employees were hurt and no customers were inside at the time. Authorities believe Turner may be involved in similar robberies in the Rockford area over the past few months.

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Posted: January 20, 2017

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) -- A man has been killed after an attempted bank robbery at Alpine Bank on Spring Creek and Mulford, according to Rockford Police.

According to Rockford Police Chief Dan O'Shea, the suspect allegedly came into the bank around 4:00 Friday afternoon, fired one shot at the ceiling and then fired a second shot at the bank's security guard. That's when the armed officer shot back, hitting the suspect. Investigators say the suspect was pronounced dead at the scene.

Bank officials say all employees are safe.

Police and the FBI are still investigating the incident.