ZAGREB, 28 March (Hina) – A young man was killed in a shootout with the police around noon in downtown Split, outside an Erste Bank office. A police investigation is underway at the scene.

According to eyewitnesses, the masked man entered the bank and demanded money at gunpoint. A security guard attempted to stop him, and the robber grabbed him but the guard managed to break free, prompting the robber to flee the bank.

At that moment, two policewomen on patrol were passing by. Upon seeing them, the robber opened fire, and the officers returned fire. Residents of nearby buildings reported hearing eight gunshots but further details will be provided by the police after the investigation.

The wounded robber collapsed and died just a few metres from the bank. It remains unclear whether he managed to steal any money, though eyewitnesses claim a grey bag was lying next to his body.

The police briefly confirmed the incident, stating only that one person had died.

The area has been cordoned off, and the road has been closed. Eight police vehicles are present at the scene, the body of the deceased is covered by a tent, and the investigation is ongoing. The county attorney’s office is also involved in the investigation.

The Erste Bank building is located just 10 metres from the municipal and county courts and about 30 metres from the Split-Dalmatia CountyВ Police headquarters.

The police have announced that official information will be released soon.