A man who attempted to rob a bank in Princeton on Friday was shot and killed at the scene.
Kentucky State Police public affairs officer Stu Recke confirmed that Princeton Police Chief Don Weedman shot the suspect during the robbery attempt, which happened just before 9:00 am.
"The suspect entered the bank, had a gun and a bag, and was wearing a stocking over his face. Chief Weedman happened to be there, and instructed the suspect to relinquish his weapon. The suspect didn't, he turned toward the chief and fired a round. The chief returned fire, striking the subject and fatally wounding him," Recke said.
Caldwell County Coroner Dewayne Trafford pronounced 67-year old James E. Hamm of Princeton dead at the scene. Weedman was not injured, and was placed on administrative leave while the investigation is completed. An autopsy was performed Friday at the state medical examiner's office in Madisonville, and showed that Hamm died of multiple gunshot wounds.
Nobody else in the bank was injured. Recke said there were probably five or six people inside the bank at the time of the robbery, counting employees and customers. The bank is on North Jefferson Street, right behind the police department.
The Times Leader in Princeton reported that police are still investigating a robbery at the same bank on Wednesday around 8:40 am. They say shortly after the bank opened, a man came in wearing a mask, showed a gun, and demanded money. He got away in a newer model car, and the bank was closed the remainder of that day. Recke said Friday's suspect was wearing a ball cap and stocking, similar to Wednesday's robber, but it has not been confirmed whether they are the same person.
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