Gladewater Bank Robbery Suspect Fatally Shoots Himself

GLADEWATER — The suspect in a Friday afternoon Gladewater bank robbery has died after shooting himself, White Oak police Chief Terry Roach confirmed. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, police said Steve Bruce of Henderson shot himself after being pulled over in White Oak. Police received a call at about 2 p.m. reporting the robbery at the North Main Street branch of Gladewater National Bank, according to Gladewater police Chief Rob Vine. Vine said witnesses told police a man entered the bank. He then told a teller he wanted money, and the employee gave the man an undisclosed amount of cash. The man then fled the scene in a black SUV.

According to information from Gladewater police, a description of the suspect and vehicle were broadcast to surrounding law enforcement agencies. Shortly after, Gladewater Animal Control Officer Mark Dennison saw the suspect’s vehicle driving east on U.S. 80 near Texas 42. White Oak officers then pulled in behind the suspect’s vehicle and started a traffic stop. The suspect, later identified as Bruce, shot himself before officers got to the vehicle. White Oak police, Texas Rangers, and the FBI are involved in the investigation.