Suspect in Bellevue bank robbery shot, killed in mall cafe

By MIA PENTA

Associated Press

BELLEVUE – Police shot and killed a bank robbery suspect Tuesday in a Bellevue Square Nordstrom cafe crowded with lunchtime diners. No one else was hurt.

“My instinct was to drop. My instinct was to run,” said Mary Ruble, who was about 8 feet away when police drew their guns and fired.

The shooting took place in a back hallway of the Nordstrom Grill, where the man had been sitting after apparently changing his clothes in a restroom, Bellevue Police spokeswoman Marcia Harnden said.

“When he sat down, he was very anxious looking, fidgeting,” Patti Anderson, who was at the cafe, told KIRO-TV.

The restaurant is on the second floor of the upscale apparel store. Police were searching the mall after the robbery of a Bank of America branch a few blocks away.

Harnden said the man, in his early 20s, was sitting in the cafe when police arrived. He then ran to the back hallway, where another officer was waiting.

The man pulled a handgun, and two officers fired about four shots. The officers were described as veterans, though neither had been involved in a shooting before, she said.

Neither the shooting victim nor the officers were immediately identified Tuesday evening.

“I heard the cops yell ‘Get down!’ and shots,” said cook Levi Stearns, 22. “It was that quick.”

The suspect was found with money in his backpack, Harnden said, but she did not say how much.

Harnden said a man entered the bank branch at 11 a.m., showed a gun and told everyone to get down. He ran off with an undisclosed amount of money.

Shopping center officials were told shortly thereafter that he was seen heading toward the mall, said Jennifer Leavitt, mall vice president for marketing. The shooting took place about an hour later.

Customers were told to leave Nordstrom, but some people remained in the cafe, Harnden said.

Nordstrom closed for the rest of the day, but the rest of the mall remained open. Grief counselors were made available for witnesses and employees.

Copyright ©2000 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

Snohomish County Health Department Director Dennis Worsham on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County Health Department director tapped as WA health secretary

Dennis Worsham became the first director of the county health department in January 2023. His last day will be July 3.

Rick Steves launches $1M match challenge for Lynnwood Neighborhood Center

The $64.5 million Lynnwood Neighborhood Center will house several community spaces and partner with local nonprofits.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Cars drive along Cathcart Way next to the site of the proposed Eastview Village development that borders Little Cedars Elementary on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 in unincorporated Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County Council denies latest Eastview Village appeal

Council members affirmed previous approvals of the development planned off Cathcart Way near Highway 9.

Everett
Everett police: Man sold drugs to woman prior to fatal overdose

The man, who faces a charge under the state’s controlled substance homicide law, remains in Snohomish County Jail on more than $1M bond.

Missing Marysville boy, 10, found safe and sound

Police said the boy was last seen Sunday morning before leaving to go for a run at a nearby middle school.

Red tape hangs in the front of the entrance to a burned down Center for Human Services building along 204th Street on Monday, July 7, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lynnwood fire destroys behavioral health nonprofit building

The cause of the fire is under investigation. The building housed an intensive mental health support program for youth and families.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.