ST. GEORGE — The family of a man who died in a gun battle with police after robbing a bank and taking hostages apologized Friday to the people who encountered him in "the lowest point of his life."
Police identified the man killed Thursday as Benjamin J. Schroff, 37, of St. George. He was reportedly armed with a handgun and a shotgun, was carrying extra ammunition and wore a bulletproof vest when he faced off with officers in the thick brush along the Virgin River.
"We, the family, extend our sincerest apologies to all those who were impacted by the actions of our son, brother and father. We are not making any excuses for his actions but hope that your love and support will be shown to his family who is also suffering," the statement read.
Family members said they hope those impacted can find "strength and healing."
Schroff demanded cash after entering the Zions Bank at 717 S. River Road in St. George Thursday afternoon, disguised with a white beard and wig and brandishing a gun.
After getting the money, police say Schroff took two female bank employees hostage, forcing them into one the women's cars and ordering her to drive as he fired shots with both weapons at pursuing officers, according to a report by the Washington County Critical Incident Task Force.
Police vehicles were hit several times but no officers were hurt.
Schroff got out of the car near 1575 S. Heritage Fields Drive in Washington City and the women fled in the car, police said Friday. He ran into the field along the river where police formed a perimeter and encountered Schroff with the shotgun in his hands and "taking a shooting position toward police officers," the report states.
Two officers shot multiple times when Schroff did not comply with their orders, according to the report, which does not specify how many times Schroff was hit. Police gave immediate medical attention but Schroff was pronounced dead at the scene.
Zions Bank remained closed Friday and was scheduled to re-open Monday.
"This was a very disturbing incident, and we are providing counseling and other assistance to all employees involved," said Zions Bank spokeswoman Heidi Prokop. "We express our thanks to local law enforcement for their courageous actions, and we are fully assisting them in their ongoing efforts."
The report did not specify whether the two officers have been placed on leave while the shooting is investigated, though a spokeswoman for the St. George Police Department said that would be protocol.
Schools in the Pine View and Washington Fields areas were locked down as police searched for Schroff, with some students being held until about 4:30 p.m.
Residents between Washington Fields Road to 2000 South and the Washington Deseret Industrial area to 1450 East in St. George were also urged in a reverse 911 call to lock their doors and stay inside their homes.
Schroff pleaded guilty to a class A misdemeanor charge of aggravated assault in 2002 while a burglary charge was dismissed, court records indicate. With the exception of a handful of vehicle-related misdemeanor charges and a DUI charge that was reduced, Schroff had no additional criminal history in Utah.
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