A Gwinnett Police officer shot and killed a suspected bank robber Monday morning after the suspect pistol whipped him during a struggle behind a nearby church, officials said.

Witnesses told police that a suspected robber had fled from a Wells Fargo Bank near Lawrenceville and an officer tracked the suspect to Bethesda United Methodist Church, on Bethesda Church Road, according to Gwinnett police.

Police say the suspect struck the officer with what police believe was a handgun that had been used to rob the bank.

“The suspect apparently hit the officer over the head,” said Cpl. Ed Ritter. “The officer was then forced to shoot the suspect.”

The suspect was later identified as John Schneider, 24.

The injured officer, whose name was not released, was transported to the hospital and is expected to be OK, Ritter said.

Ritter said he had no information about how much money was taken from the bank. Police arrived shortly after the robbery occurred at the bank at 3065 Lawrenceville Highway.

About the Author

Keep Reading

If the Senate's version of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act passes, the 30% federal tax credits offered for clean energy installations — such as these solar panels being installed atop an Ellenwood home in 2022 — would be sunset by the end of 2025. (Jason Getz/AJC 2022)

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com

Featured

UPS driver Dan Partyka delivers an overnight package. As more people buy more goods online, the rapid and unrelenting expansion of e-commerce is causing real challenges for the Sandy-Springs based company. (Bob Andres/AJC 2022)

Credit: TNS