Video: Tupelo Community Reacts to Deadly Bank Robbery

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TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – The brazen bank robbery happened in broad daylight, creating a scare for shoppers and business owners. Several bank customers and retailers were caught in the chaos once gunshots rang out at the busy stretch of Gloster Street. The day after the tragedy, they are grieving for the families who were impacted by this tragedy.

“It’s just so sad that our community is subjected to so much evil especially this time of the year when we’re celebrating the birth of Christ,” says Rita Curbow, who works for Sleep Apnea directly across from the bank. Curbow didn’t actually see the bank robbery. However, she says the deadly aftermath of the heist has left her heart broken.

“Our thoughts and prayers definitely go out to the family, to the one that lost their loved one. Then the one who’s in the hospital and then also to the ladies at the bank who had to witness the robbery,” says Curbow.

Richard Buckner, a BancorpSouth customer, says this is a tragic piece of Tupelo’s history.  He’s thankful for the men and women who put their lives on the line each day.

“We appreciate our officers. A lot people don’t give respect to that and that was confirmed for last night because I actually had a person tell me that they were glad these guys got away. That’s just sickening to me for someone to say that. But definitely, my heartfelt condolences goes out deeply to the families,” says Buckner.

The sign on the door of the Gloster Creek branch says it’ll be closed until further notice. The nearest location for BancorpSouth customers is the Industrial Branch at 1215 South Gloster.