Kentucky Bank Shooting Kills Two Employees in Berea as Manhunt Continues

Authorities reported the killing of two bank employees who were shot during a robbery at a U.S. Bank branch in Berea on Thursday. The shooting prompted a large manhunt across the area, officials said.

The suspect is described as a man wearing a gray-and-white hoodie, gloves, and a mask. He entered the bank and opened fire on a male and female employee, according to Kentucky State Police spokesperson Trooper Scottie Pennington. It was reported that both victims died at the scene.

“They're our people that work in our community, and they’re no longer with us,” Pennington told reporters. “At this time, we do have some leads, and we’re trying our best to bring this evil person to justice.”

Police from local and state agencies, along with the FBI, also launched a coordinated search. Officers went door to door seeking information and checking for surveillance footage. Helicopters, drones, and trained dogs were also deployed to track the suspect.

Authorities said that it remains unclear how the suspect fled. Investigators do not yet know if he escaped on foot, in a vehicle, or with the help from someone else. Officials also declined to say whether anything was taken during the robbery.

State police shared a photo of the suspect on social media and asked the public to help identify him. Pennington urged residents to stay alert to anything that felt unusual.

“If you see something strange and you don’t feel right about it — you know, your dogs are acting weird — call us,” Pennington said. He also advised people to keep porch lights on and phones charged as a safety measure.

The incident had disrupted the area. Nearby schools were placed on temporary lockdown as a precaution. Students were not allowed to leave on buses and had to be picked up by parents after authorities confirmed the campuses were safe.

U.S. Bank released a statement saying it is working closely with investigators and offering support to those affected. They also talked about the loss of their employees.

“We’re deeply saddened by the tragic event that took the lives of two of our employees at our Berea, Kentucky branch earlier today,” the company said in a statement. “Our hearts go out to the families of the victims, our colleagues, and the entire Berea community.”

Berea, where the crime happened, is located about 36 miles south of Lexington, Kentucky. As of now, the search for the suspect remains ongoing.