Bank robber shoots man at Wells Fargo in North Spokane

A bank robber shot a man twice inside a Wells Fargo Bank branch in north Spokane Thursday evening.

Christian Parker, a senior resident agent with the FBI in Spokane, said the victim appeared to have suffered serious, but not life-threatening injuries. The man, who was transported to a hospital, was not an employee of the bank and “was not targeted,” Parker said.

Officials were working to gather a description of the shooting suspect, but details released Thursday night were limited. He was wearing gloves, a ski mask and many layers of clothing, Parker said.

Parker said the shooting was reported around 6 p.m. That’s the closing time for the branch, 7404 N. Division Ave.

Witnesses said the man tried to foil the robbery. Parker declined to say if the robber escaped with cash, and also declined to describe any of the robber’s interactions inside the bank.

Police dogs tracked a scent, but lost it northeast of the bank in a large parking lot for a shopping center that includes Michael’s, Parker said.

Officials were scanning security camera footage in the bank and nearby Thursday night.

Bekah Smith, who works at Senor Froggy, which is across from the bank on Cozza Avenue, said police advised some nearby businesses to close as officers searched for the robber. Cozza Avenue was blocked to traffic for a time during the initial investigation.