jobu07
Contributing Member
http://www.iknowrochester.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=6E906039-E7A8-48F4-B76F-C9C93B4DD03B
Heh, interesting to see the families reaction to this...
Robbery Suspect's Family Speaks Out
(Phelps, NY) 04/13/05 -- Police say that Robert Everson, 21 was armed with a shotgun Wednesday when he demanded cash from the Ontario National Bank on Griffith Road in Phelps.
He then shot at two security cameras and held a customer hostage for a short time before letting him go.
Everson took off in his Jeep and was immediately pursued by Ontario County Sheriff's deputy Sgt. Kevin Owens. The chase ended a short while later when the Jeep ran into a utility pole.
Investigators said that Everson got out of the vehicle and fired shots at Owens. The deputy returned fire and shot and killed Everson, who died at the scene.
Owens suffered minor injuries and was treated and released at a hospital. The Ontario County Sheriff said the deputy's actions were justified and called him a hero.
Delores DeMay saw the crash and shooting from her kitchen window.
"It was unreal,†she said, “we didn't know what we were seeing."
At first, DeMay thought it was a plain car accident when she saw the car hit the utility pole across the street.
"We saw the young fellow get out with a rifle in his hand…He took a shot at the undercover officer…The officer shot back, then he came back around and propped the gun up, the officer fired again and hit him, he didn't get back up," she said.
Family Speaks
Everson's family said Robert spent Tuesday night with his girlfriend and even enjoyed a spaghetti dinner. They do admit, however, that he suffered from psychiatric and emotional problems and believe the robbery might have been a cry for help.
The family said that Everson hasn't been the same ever since an attempted suicide two-and-a-half years ago left him with a brain injury.
Last summer, Robert spent 45 days in jail after pleading guilty to rape. When he was released, he was put on probation and listed as a sex offender. His family says that factored into his emotional problems.
His cousin, Sue Everson, said that despite his problems, Robert was sweet and loving.
"He was just a kid struggling to find an identity...When we would come here, he would come meet me at the door give me a great big hug and a kiss, say, 'Hi. I love you.' That's the kind of deep down person that Bobby was," she said.
Everson worked two jobs as a dishwasher, so his family didn't think he needed money. They're still not sure what exactly set him off.
Everson's father says what Robert did was wrong; he apologized to the community and to the bank. He also said he just wishes his son could've gotten the help he needed.
Heh, interesting to see the families reaction to this...
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