CRIME: HAYTI MAN DEAD AFTER ROBBERY, SHOOTOUT

HAYTI, Mo. -- A Hayti man died following a shootout after an armed bank robbery Monday, the Missouri Highway Patrol reported.

A Hayti police officer and a highway patrol trooper responded to a bank robbery call at 9:40 a.m., Sgt. Brent Davis said.

The robbery had occurred at the downtown branch of the Bank of Hayti.

The officer and trooper began searching on foot for the robber and went into an abandoned grocery store not far from the bank.

The police officer kicked in the rear door of the building, and both men entered.

After they entered, an unknown person began firing shots at them, Davis said.

The trooper returned fire, taking four shots before he and the police officer retreated.

At 9:58 a.m., an additional trooper and more police returned to the abandoned building.

With assistance from Highway Patrol and police K-9 units, officers discovered a man lying on his back with a revolver in his hand.

An ambulance responded, and paramedics attempted to resuscitate the man but were not able.

The man, identified as 18-year-old Lamont M. Jackson of Hayti, died from an apparent self-inflicted shotgun wound.

No law enforcement officers were injured, Davis said.

An autopsy will be performed today on Jackson at the Mineral Area Hospital in Farmington, Mo.

It was determined that $18,764 was missing because of the robbery.

After an extensive investigation, the missing money was found hidden in a cistern.

Further investigation of the robbery is being handled by the FBI.