Man shot, killed outside Garden Grove bank, 2 suspects sought

GARDEN GROVE, Calif. (KABC) -- Police on Monday are searching for two men suspected of shooting and killing a man near an ATM machine outside of a Garden Grove bank.

Garden Grove police responded to a call of shots fired near a Bank of America in the 13900 block of Brookhurst Street at about 10 p.m. Sunday. They discovered a man who had been fatally shot near the bank's ATM machines, police said.

Witnesses said they saw two people shoot and kill the victim near the ATM before they fled in what is believed to be a silver or gray SUV.

Police said the victim had just made a transaction when he was shot. The motive is believed to be robbery, although the victim had some money and his cellphone still in his possession when his body was found by authorities, said Lt. Carl Whitney of Garden Grove police.

Investigators were looking into surveillance video from the bank, nearby businesses and red light cameras for more information on the crime, authorities said.

Making the attack all the more alarming is that the parking lot was full of people at the time. Whitney said 13 witnesses came forward and gave statements to police.

At about 8 p.m. the same night, police said a woman in her 50s was assaulted and robbed in front of the same bank.

The victim told police she was walking to the ATM with money in her hand when she was attacked. When officers arrived, the suspect fled but was apprehended a short distance away. He was identified as a local transient.

The victim's money was returned, and she was transported to a nearby hospital where she was treated for her injuries.

Police said the woman's attack appears to be an isolated incident with no relation to the shooting.

Anyone with information on the shooting was asked to call Garden Grove Police Department's Homicide Unit.

Meantime, Whitney said it's important to be on alert when you head to an ATM.

"When they go to the ATM, be aware of your surroundings," he said. "Have a plan. Look at the parking lot, make eye contact with the people in the parking lot because just making that mere contact with somebody might be enough to scare somebody off."