Miami Beach police remain mum following fatal shooting of bank robber

Miami Beach police are staying tight lipped following the fatal police shooting of a man suspected of robbing a Miami Beach bank on Thursday, but on Monday they confirmed the man’s identity: Julien Joseph LaPierre, 39.

LaPierre was shot and killed inside his Mid-Beach apartment during a police confrontation that lasted about six hours.

Cops first responded to a call about 1:20 p.m. Thursday. LaPierre had allegedly entered a Regions Bank at 780 41st St., Miami Beach, assaulted two bank employees, then fled to his apartment two blocks away, according to police. The standoff between police and LaPierre lasted until 8:50 p.m., when SWAT officers entered the apartment. Police confronted and shot LaPierre, killing him.

WPLG-Channel 10 reported LaPierre may have recently been diagnosed with terminal cancer, and that the weapon he was holding during the standoff was fake. Authorities have not confirmed whether LaPierre was ill or armed with a real weapon.

This story was originally published July 6, 2015 at 6:24 PM with the headline "Miami Beach police remain mum following fatal shooting of bank robber."