Two bank robbery suspects died from gunshot wounds Wednesday, following a police chase in which two  patrol vehicles were damaged by gunfire, officers were allegedly shot at, and one suspect was dressed as a leprechaun.

The suspects were wanted for allegedly robbing First State Bank on Nashville Pike; however, a witness believes that their first target was the Fifth Third Bank next door.

Bradley Webb, who was visiting his grandmother, a Fifth Third Bank employee at approximately 12:30 p.m. Wednesday when the robbery happened, said the suspect approached Fifth Third door initially. 

“We were all inside the bank visiting when we saw this guy coming toward the front door,” said Webb.

“He was dressed with a big three-foot bright green hat, a long black robe looking thing and he had on a fake beard.”

Bradley didn’t see a gun but said one could easily have been concealed under the suspect’s costume.

“The people who work in the bank saw him coming toward the door like he was going to come in, and he saw all of us staring at him,” said Webb.

“The manager had everybody get ready to press the alarm buttons because we all figured he was coming in to rob the bank.”

When the suspect looked inside and saw everyone watching him, he left, said Webb.

“I guess he figured it wasn’t a good idea to rob Fifth Third because of everybody watching him,” said Webb.

“So he walked over to First State next door and went inside.”

That is when the chaos began for Webb.

“In no time at all, that guy was out of the bank and running, and someone yelled ‘he’s got a bag,’ which we knew meant a bank money bag,” Webb explained.

“My brother went around the side of the building to see where he was going and he saw him jump into a silver Corolla with another person and take off.”

That’s when Webb and his brother made a split second decision.

“We followed him,” he said.

“My grandma could have been robbed and it really made me mad. Plus, I work hard for my money. Why should someone be able to rob a bank and get a bunch of money without working for it?”

Webb and his brother began following the suspect vehicle while at the same time calling authorities for help. “We were on the phone with the police explaining what just happened and where they were headed and what streets they were on, that kind of stuff,” said Webb.

“Police got involved and began following them. Then we heard the gunshots and we pulled over right by the patrol car that got its tire shot out, but while were following them we saw the guy ripping off his leprechaun outfit and shoving it down behind the seat.”

Gallatin police received a suspect vehicle description and located it quickly;however, instead of pullin g over, the suspect vehicle continued out of town and onto Red River Road (Highway 25).

A GPD press release alleges the suspect entered First State Bank brandishing a large caliber weapon and fled with an undisclosed amount of money.

He then got into a vehicle with a get away driver and they fled the scene.

A Gallatin officer was alerted to the suspect vehicle traveling on Walnut Crest  Drive. As the officer approached the area, the suspect vehicle fled and a pursuit ensued. Shots were fired at two police vehicles, disabling one. 

The pursuit continued employing several GPD units along with Sumner County Sheriff’s deputies to Red River Road (Hwy 25)  and Bradford Drive where the two suspects ditched the car and fled on foot into a nearby field.

The suspects turned and fired shots at the pursuing officers and officers returned fire. Both suspects sustained gunshot wounds and were pronounced dead at the scene. Money was recovered from the suspect vehicle. 

An unnamed police officer told a Gallatin Newspaper reporter at the scene that one suspect killed himself in the field and the other suspect died from officer gunfire. The Gallatin Newspaper was not able to confirm this by press time. 

Identities of the suspects were also not available at press time.