Man Charged After Armed Bank Robbery and Officer Shooting in Wake County

A robbery at First Citizens Bank in Zebulon on December 26, 2025 culminated in an officer involved shooting in Rocky Mount later that day, federal and local law enforcement reported. Investigators say the suspect identified as Willie Edward McGee Jr. threatened to detonate an explosive in the truck if a teller did not turn over cash, then left the bank with roughly three thousand two hundred thirty four dollars in cash and fled in a semi truck.

Surveillance video and vehicle identification led authorities to a Hobby Lobby parking lot on Sutters Creek Boulevard in Rocky Mount. When Rocky Mount officers approached the vehicle, investigators allege McGee exited armed with a Ruger AR 5.56 rifle and fired at officers. Officers returned fire, striking McGee. He was subsequently taken into custody and transported to a hospital where authorities reported he was in stable condition.

Law enforcement recovered the rifle and a handgun allegedly found on McGee. A bomb squad examined the semi truck and found no explosives. No officers or bystanders were injured by the suspect s gunfire, officials said. Federal prosecutors filed charges connected to the incident including armed bank robbery and discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

The event prompted a coordinated response across multiple agencies including Zebulon police, Rocky Mount police and federal authorities. The rapid identification of the vehicle from bank surveillance and the multi jurisdiction operation that followed illustrate both the benefits and challenges of interagency work in urgent public safety situations. For Wake County residents the episode underscores the importance of clear communication between local law enforcement and federal partners when violent crimes cross municipal boundaries.

Beyond immediate safety concerns, the case raises policy questions for county leaders and law enforcement chiefs. Banks and other public facing institutions will likely reassess security protocols and employee training for robbery scenarios that involve threats of explosives. Municipal and county officials should also review emergency response plans for incidents that begin in one jurisdiction and conclude in another, to ensure unified command structures and timely public updates.

As federal proceedings move forward, local residents can expect additional court filings and official statements from prosecutors and police. The incident, while resolved without civilian or officer fatalities, will remain a point of scrutiny for officials responsible for public safety and for community members seeking assurance that coordinated systems are in place to prevent and respond to similar violent crimes.