FORT MYERS, Fla. — Editor's note: The video above contains graphic and disturbing content. Viewer discretion is advised.
Video from a Florida sheriff’s office shows a sniper shooting through a computer screen and killing a man who held bank employees hostage in Fort Myers.
It happened on Feb. 7, when a man armed with a knife claiming he had a bomb took two Bank of America employees as hostages when he was trying to rob the bank, the sheriff's office said.
Video released by the Lee County Sheriff's Office shows law enforcement trying to negotiate with the suspect saying they could relate to him because they also have kids and encouraging the man to keep talking to them and let them know what he’s thinking.
“What concerns do you have? I wanna make sure you’re the most relaxed,” a law enforcement personnel said in the video. Seconds later, the sniper shot the man when he became physical with one of the suspects.
Sheriff Carmine Marceno said he put one of the hostages in a headlock and put a knife to her throat.
“The sniper took a planned and deliberate shot through a computer monitor, striking the suspect in the center of the forehead, killing him instantly,” Public Information Officer Todd Olmer said in the video.
After he was shot, flash bangs were used as the Special Operations moved in to confirm the suspect was “no longer a threat.”
The man was identified as Sterling Alavache, 36, by the sheriff’s office. In the 911 audio, Alavache is heard screaming and saying “I don’t wanna hurt them,” and ordering people to get down. He’s also heard screaming and saying “I’m sorry” and “I don’t wanna shoot him.”
Alavache was a convicted felon and had a criminal history including drug trafficking, aggravated assault and carrying a concealed firearm from several states, according to deputies.