UPDATED: Bank Robbery Suspect Shot And Killed, 2 Others Arrested

***Thursday, July 2 11:40 a.m. Update***

Release from Aiken County Coroner Tim Carlton on Jelani Edwards’ autopsy results:

Preliminary autopsy results on Mr. Jelani Edwards revealed that he died from a single gunshot wound to the chest. The wound was consistent with the Jackson police officer’s account of Mr. Edwards body position and behavior at the time of the confrontation with Mr. Edwards after the bank robbery in Jackson SC.

Carlton adds: Edwards’ postition/stance is known in law enforcement circles as a “bladed shooting position”. He would have been turned to his right side with the weapon in his right hand pointed at the officer when the fatal shot was received. Toxicology is pending. Manner of death is homicide.

***Thursday, July 2 10:15 a.m. Update***

From Sgt. Dave Myers, with the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office:

Two Suspects Apprehended, One Dead In Jackson, SC Bank Robbery

Aiken, S.C. July 01, 2009 - The Jackson Police Department, along with local, State, and Federal Law Enforcement agencies responded to the First Citizens Bank, 401 Atomic Road, in Jackson, South Carolina, for an armed bank robbery.

Phillip Perry Paul, 26, of the 600 block of Silver Bluff Road, in Aiken, South Carolina is charged with Possession of a Weapon during the Commission of a Violent Crime, and Armed Robbery.

Randolph Wilson, 22, of the 80 block of Elgin Court, in Beech Island, South Carolina is charged with Possession of a Weapon during the Commission of a Violent Crime, and Armed Robbery.

Jelani Edwards, 30, was shot by police and later died at MCG.

At 12:19 p.m. the Jackson Police Department responded to an armed bank robbery in progress at the First Citizens Bank.  According to witnesses three suspects dressed in dark clothing wearing masks and gloves entered into the bank. All three suspects were armed with handguns.  The suspects demanded and received an undisclosed amount of money from the tellers and fled the bank on foot.  Witnesses observed all three suspects enter into a compact burgundy vehicle and leave the bank parking area.

A Jackson Police officer observed the suspects vehicle pull away from the bank parking area and gave chase. At the intersection of Sheraton Rd and Old Jackson Highway the suspect vehicle lost control and wrecked.  All three suspects exited the vehicle, with one suspect pulling a gun and firing a shot at the Jackson Police Officer. The Officer returned fire, with his shot striking and killing the suspect. A second suspect surrendered to police, with the third suspect leaving the scene on foot. The Aiken County Sheriff’s Office Bloodhound Tracking Team along with SLED responded to the scene and searched the area.

Investigators, through a coordinated effort involving the FBI, SLED, The Aiken County Sheriff’s Office, Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, The Aiken Department of Public Safety, The Jackson Police Office, The Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Miami Field Office, learned of a residence believed to be where the third suspect visited or lived. The Aiken County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team gained entry into a Williams Way residence located in Beech Island S.C. and located the suspect, where he was placed under arrest.

The subjects are being held at the Aiken County Detention Center.

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Jackson, SC—The First Citizen’s Bank in Jackson, South Carolina is closed Wednesday afternoon. Aiken County investigators say, shortly after 12:00 p.m., a 911 caller revealed this bank was being robbed by three men.

Sgt. Dave Myers, Aiken County Sheriff’s Office: “Jackson PD responded, they saw the car, and they gave chase.“

Investigators say Jackson police officers followed the car down Old Jackson Highway.

The chase ended when the suspects crashed their car on Sheraton Road, near the Kimberly-Clark plant.

Sgt. Myers: “All 3 subjects exited the vehicle, one in particular, exited, pulled a handgun, fired it at the Jackson police officer. The Jackson police officer returned fire, striking him.“

That shot killed 30-year-old Jelani Edwards. A second suspect surrendered immediately, the third, investigators say, ran off on foot.

Kimberly-Clark was put on lockdown, bloodhounds were sent out.

Sgt. Myers: “Sheriff asked for the dogs, dogs responded, perimeter was set up right away, and they’re giving chase right now.“

SLED, the FBI, and agencies from across the two-state began kept an eye out for their suspect.

A few hours later, they were told he was hiding at a house nearby in Beech Island.

Sgt. Myers: “Currently in the process of obtaining a search warrant for a local residence that the suspect is known to be staying at.“

SWAT was called in, and after an hour-long standoff, the third suspect surrendered to officers.

The two suspects now in custody, identified as Phillip Paul and Randy Wilson, both of Aiken County. Both will be charged with armed robbery and the possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime.

We’re still waiting for the name of that Jackson police officer, who shot and killed Edwards.

Stay tuned to WJBF News Channel 6 for more as this story develops.