Ex-police officer shoots himself after bank raid

A former policeman shot himself dead after being challenged about an armed bank robbery in the North, it was revealed today.

He was confronted close to his home in Ballymena, Co Antrim, when officers followed his car after an armed raid on staff at a branch of the Northern Bank.

The former officer stopped at the driveway of his home at Loughanhill Park, got out of the car, pulled a gun and then killed himself.

Police later confirmed they were investigating a link between the robbery and the shooting.

The police ombudsman’s office has been called in to probe the circumstances of the death.

It is understood the man was discharged from the PSNI on medical grounds in 2006.

Earlier, bank staff on the Larne Road were held at gunpoint and forced to hand over a substantial sum of cash.

Police said tonight one man had been arrested in connection with the robbery. They also recovered a gun at Loughanhill Park.

A police spokesman said: “Despite the best efforts of police and paramedics the man died at the scene.”