UPDATE: Rocky Mount bank shooting suspect federally charged

ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. (WITN) - A U.S. magistrate judge has federally charged Rocky Mount officer-involved shooting Willie Edward McGee, Jr with bank robbery and discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

Around 11:38 a.m. Friday, officers with the Zebulon Police Department responded to an armed robbery reported at First Citizens Bank at the 101 Wakelon Street location, according to officials.

Police say they tracked McGee’s vehicle, a white 18-wheeler, to the parking lot of the Hobby Lobby at 760 Sutters Creek Boulevard in Rocky Mount. Zebulon Police Department notified the Rocky Mount Police Department, according to officials.

Around 4:15 p.m. that afternoon, Rocky Mount police went to the Hobby Lobby parking lot. They found the 18-wheeler and McGee and attempted to make contact, according to police.

Police say McGee exited the cab of the vehicle and began firing a weapon at officers. According to officials, officers fired back and hit McGee.

Officers gave emergency aid until medical services arrived on scene to provide further treatment.

McGee was taken into custody where officials say he remains hospitalized in stable condition.

Officials say McGee also wrote a note to a bank employee during the robbery threatening that there was an explosive in his car. However, the SBI Bomb Squad conducted a search of the vehicle and no explosives were found.

McGee is charged with robbery, attempted murder, assault on a law enforcement officer with a firearm, and discharge of a weapon to incite fear.

If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison on the bank robbery charge and a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, on the discharging a firearm charge.

The investigation is still ongoing.

If you have any information about the alleged crimes, contact the FBI at (704) 672-6100.