Reports of shots fired during a bank robbery Friday afternoon in Mission Valley prompted a SWAT response that added to already heavy rush-hour traffic in the area.
The robbery was reported at a US Bank branch at 1455 Frazee Road, north of Friars Road and east of State Route 163, at around 4:30 p.m., according to the San Diego Police Department.
Police said the suspect entered the bank and pointed a gun at a teller and demanded money. After taking an undisclosed amount, he left.
Employees inside the bank told dispatch the suspect fired multiple shots, Lt. Mike Ramsay said. SDPD at first reported that shots were fired but later confirmed that the suspect did not shoot his gun.
When officers arrived, they did not know if the suspect was still inside the bank and as a precaution, SWAT was called, Lt. Ramsay said.
He was described as a man in his 20s, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with the hood up with a black baseball cap underneath, black pants, black gloves and a black-and-white handkerchief over his face. He was also wearing a tan backpack.
Investigators said three bank employees, who called 911, hid in the bathroom during the incident. Another bank employee near the kiosk also called 911, Ramsay said.
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The suspect is still on the loose, police said.
Investigators were interviewing employees and witnesses trying to gather more information about the suspect.
"I saw the police officers and they told me... to 'run now,' and I came to him and said 'What's going on?' and he said there was an active shooter in the bank," a woman told NBC 7.
Anyone with information is asked to call San Diego FBI agents at (858) 320-1800 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.
No other information was available.
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