Full Breakdown
Armed Bank Robbery and Officer-Involved Shooting in Zebulon
12/29/2025, 2:21:20 AM
Incident Overview
On December 1, 2023, Willie Edward McGee Jr., a 42-year-old man from Rocky Mount, was charged with armed robbery and multiple firearm offenses following a bank robbery at First Citizens Bank in Zebulon, North Carolina. McGee allegedly threatened bank employees with a note claiming he had an explosive device in his truck, leading to a police pursuit and an officer-involved shooting later that day.
Sequence of Events
The incident began around 11:30 a.m. when McGee entered the First Citizens Bank on Wakelon Street and handed a note to an employee, demanding cash and claiming his vehicle contained explosives. He left the bank with $3,234 in cash. Zebulon police, utilizing K-9 tracking and surveillance footage, identified McGee's vehicle as a white 18-wheeler and tracked it to a Hobby Lobby parking lot on Sutters Creek Boulevard in Rocky Mount.
At approximately 4:15 p.m., Rocky Mount police approached the truck. McGee exited the vehicle armed with a Ruger AR 5.56 rifle and opened fire on the officers, who returned fire, striking him. He was subsequently taken into custody and transported to a hospital, where he remains in stable condition. No injuries were reported among the police or bystanders during the incident.
Charges and Legal Consequences
McGee faces serious charges, including robbery, two counts of attempted murder, two counts of assault on law enforcement officers with a firearm, and discharging a weapon to incite fear. If convicted on the federal charges, he could face up to 30 years in prison. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation conducted a search of McGee's truck but found no explosives.
Official Statements & Responses
Federal prosecutors characterized McGee's actions as domestic terror, emphasizing the severity of the situation. They stated, "That is not desperation, that is domestic terror." The Rocky Mount police confirmed that the investigation is ongoing and encouraged anyone with information to contact them.
Criticism & Opposition
While no specific dissenting viewpoints were reported in the sources, the nature of the incident raises questions about the escalation of violence in similar situations and the protocols followed by law enforcement during such high-stakes encounters.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
All sources consistently reported the key events and charges against McGee. However, there were no discrepancies noted regarding the details of the incident or the subsequent police response.
Verbatim Quotes
- “That is not desperation, that is domestic terror.” — Federal Prosecutors
- “The SBI search found no explosives.” — Rocky Mount Police Statement
This incident highlights the serious implications of armed robbery and the potential for violence in confrontations between suspects and law enforcement. The ongoing investigation will likely provide further insights into the circumstances surrounding this case.
