Bank robber fatally shot by security guard in Rockford

A man who tried to rob a bank Friday afternoon in northern Illinois was shot and killed by a security officer.

Just before 4 p.m., Laurence Turner tried to rob an Alpine Bank branch at 2218 N. Mulford Ave. in Rockford, according to the FBI and a statement from the city of Rockford.

Turner, 34, walked into the bank and fired a shot at the ceiling with a handgun, authorities said. He then fired shots at an armed bank security guard, who returned fire and struck Turner at least once.

Turner, of Rockford, collapsed near the entrance of the bank and was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said.

No customers were in the bank at the time, and no other injuries were reported.

Rockford police are investigating the possibility that Turner was involved in other similar robberies in the area over the past several months, according to the statement.

Rockford police, the Winnebago County coroner’s office and the Winnebago County state’s attorney’s office are investigating the death as a homicide.