The incident began when officers responded to a robbery in progress near Bastanchury Road and Harbor Boulevard. According to the 911 call, a bank employee reported that a man, later identified as 57-year-old Scott Thompson, was seated at a banker’s desk holding a bomb in a white box and demanding $58,000. “He wants $58,000, and we have three minutes to give it to him,” the employee said during the call, adding, “He said if he sees anything, he’s going to detonate the bomb so if they could not come because he can see out the window on Bastanchury Road.”

Sgt. Ryan O’Neil, the public information officer for the Fullerton Police Department, stated that approximately 10 minutes into the incident, the bank employee informed officers that the bank personnel would place the demanded money in a box labeled “DPS” and that Thompson would soon exit the bank.

When Thompson left the bank holding the white box, officers immediately issued commands for him to stop and put his hands up. Body camera footage captured police repeatedly shouting commands that Thompson failed to obey. As Thompson approached the bank doors, officers feared he might re-enter the building with the explosive device, prompting them to open fire. Thompson was struck and died at the scene.

None of the seven employees and one customer inside the bank were harmed. The bomb squad later inspected the device and determined it was not a threat.

Sgt. O’Neil disclosed that Thompson had an extensive criminal history and was on federal probation for armed bank robbery at the time of the incident. He had prior federal convictions for armed bank robbery and escape, as well as a state conviction for robbery.

The Fullerton Police Department emphasized their commitment to transparency by releasing the video and audio footage. They noted that the investigation into this officer-involved shooting is ongoing and could take up to a year to complete.