Police Hunt For Gunman After Pregnant Teller Shot

INDIANAPOLIS -- A bank teller was in critical condition and her unborn twins were not believed to be in immediate jeopardy Tuesday night, hours after the woman was shot during a robbery on Indianapolis' east side, police said.

Police on Wednesday were still looking for a man who shot Katherin Shuffield on Tuesday morning at the Huntington National Bank, 2030 N. Post Road. Two high school students were detained Tuesday morning, but police later said the teens weren't suspects.

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Slideshow: Police Seek Shooter

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Though the gunman's face was covered, authorities developed a sketch of him based on witness descriptions and released it Tuesday night. Police also released pictures of two vehicles similar to the ones they're seeking in connection with the incident.

Police said the robber entered the bank at about 9:30 a.m. Tuesday while one customer and three employees were inside. No one resisted, authorities said.

"He ordered one of the customers down on the floor. The suspect then jumped over the counter and … shot (Shuffield)," Indianapolis police Lt. Jeff Duhamell said.

Shuffield, a 30-year-old Franklin resident who is five months pregnant, was shot in the lower abdomen. But medical personnel would learn that the bullet didn't strike her unborn twins, according to Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard, who visited the hospital where Shuffield eventually was taken.

After Shuffield was shot, witnesses told police, the robber grabbed some cash from some drawers and fired a bullet at an empty chair before exiting the bank. A block to the west, at least one person saw him enter the passenger side of a gold, late-model Dodge Intrepid with dull, worn paint.

The Intrepid sped away and a new, bright blue Honda Pilot SUV followed, the witness said, prompting police to wonder whether the SUV's occupants were linked to the robber. Information about how much money the robber took wasn't available.

Witnesses described the shooter as black, 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing about 215 pounds. He was wearing a blue stocking cap, a dark face covering, a gray jacket, blue jeans, and dark shoes with light-colored heels, witnesses told police. Police said he also wore sunglasses and teal surgical gloves and was carrying a 9 mm gun.

The gloves were found not far from where he entered the Intrepid, authorities said.

Gilbert Mendez, who lives near the bank, said he called 911 after seeing a man run across his yard, holding a gun in the air.

"My wife saw a black male going through. ... When I (looked) out, I saw two vehicles waiting, and he got into (one of them)," Mendez told 6News' Rick Hightower.

Descriptions of the Intrepid's driver and the Honda SUV's occupant or occupants weren't available.

About 150 local, state and federal officers searched for the robber Tuesday morning and afternoon. Officers and agents searched nearby neighborhoods and businesses.

"We have sent out agents as well as task force officers," said Wendy Osborne, an FBI special agent. "This is a dangerous individual. He needs to be brought to justice."

Police said that about two hours after the robbery, they detained and questioned two Warren Central High School students who were trying to enter the school, which is near the bank. Investigators believe those teens were not linked to the robbery and shooting, Indianapolis police Sgt. Paul Thompson said Tuesday evening.

All Warren Township schools north of Washington Street were locked down following the incident. Parents were told that they couldn't pick up their students until the lockdown is lifted.

"It does affect many students who have half-day schedules and would normally be leaving at noon time," said David Randall of Warren Township schools.

Police characterized the shooting and robbery as an outrageous act of terrorism.

"It just makes me sick. Here's a woman working hard for a living," said Indianapolis Police Chief Michael Spears. "From all accounts, without provocation, this gutless robber shoots her."

Police asked anyone with information about the shooting to call Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-8477.