Colo. police kill 2 suspected bank robbers

WESTMINSTER, Colo., Nov. 20 (UPI) -- A young couple suspected of robbing a Colorado bank were killed during a chase and shootout that also left a police officer injured, authorities said.

The man and woman, who were not yet identified, entered a FirstBank branch in Westminster, Colo., Thursday, disclosed they had weapons and left with an undisclosed amount of money, The Denver Post reported Friday.

After being alerted by a 911 call from bank staff, police spotted the suspects in a parking lot. The pair fired a single shot at police through the rear window of their car, and a chase began during which the alleged robbers continued to shoot at police until they were fatally wounded by the officers' return fire. The male suspect died at the scene and the female died at a hospital, police said.

Officer Sean Chandler was shot in the hip and was hospitalized in stable condition. He was expected to recover, Westminster police spokesman Trevor Materasso said.

"It was a very dangerous situation for a lot of people," Materasso said of the lunch-time incident in a populated area.