Shards of shattered glass litter the lobby and exterior of the Hong Kong-Shanghai Bank where a would-be robber exchanged gunfire with police officers

August 9, 1999
Web posted at: 5:43 p.m. EDT (2143 GMT)

NEW YORK (CNN) -- A botched bank robbery attempt spilled out into the streets of Manhattan's Financial District at the height of lunch hour Monday, leaving one person dead and another wounded.

Police said a bank teller at Hong Kong-Shanghai Bank USA (HSBC-USA) recognized the alleged robber as the man suspected of holding up the same bank on June 25. She alerted a security guard, who called 911.

Police responding to the call entered the bank lobby and exchanged gunfire with the suspect, who fled outside.

Police chased the suspect through the narrow streets of Lower Manhattan and finally apprehended him after three exchanges of gunfire. A 9 mm gun was found in his possession.

The suspect died shortly after arrival at nearby New York University Downtown Hospital, said hospital spokeswoman Ellen Karasik. He had multiple gunshot wounds below the waist, she said.

A female bystander was shot in the leg and was taken to Bellevue Hospital. Six police officers were taken to St. Vincent's Hospital and treated for minor injuries.

John Kuzmik, who works in a nearby office, said he was on his lunch break when he saw police gathering nearby.

"All of a sudden ... there was a volley of gunfire, at least 15 to 20 rounds," he said. Kuzmik said he and others dropped to the ground as shots rang out.

Reuters contributed to this report.

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