Suspect in Zebulon armed robbery arrested after shooting at officers in Rocky Mount, police say

ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. (WTVD) -- An armed robbery at a Zebulon bank led to an officer-involved shooting in Rocky Mount on Friday night.

It began around 11:30 a.m. when Zebulon Police responded to a robbery at First Citizens Bank on Wakelon Street. The suspect, 42-year-old Willie McGee Jr. of Rocky Mount, left before officers arrived. He had reportedly given a bank employee a written threat claiming his vehicle contained an explosive device.

Police tracked McGee to his last known location using K-9 Koda and surveillance footage, identifying his vehicle as a white 18-wheeler. The truck was later located in a Hobby Lobby parking lot at 760 Sutters Creek Boulevard in Rocky Mount.

At approximately 4:15 p.m., Rocky Mount officers approached the vehicle. McGee exited and opened fire on the officers, who returned fire, striking him. He was arrested and taken to a hospital, where he remains stable.

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) Bomb Squad searched the 18-wheeler and found no explosives.

McGee faces charges including robbery, two counts of attempted murder, two counts of assault on law enforcement officers with a firearm, and discharging a weapon to incite fear.

Anyone with relevant information is asked to please contact the Rocky Mount Police Department at (252) 972-1411 or submit an anonymous text tip by texting the keyword "RMPD" and your message/tip to 847411. All information provided will be reviewed and incorporated into the investigation.

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