Authorities said a person of interest was later taken into custody.
BEREA, Ky. — Two U.S. Bank employees were shot and killed Thursday afternoon during a robbery at a Chestnut Street branch in Berea, state police said, setting off a search that later led to a person of interest being taken into custody.
Kentucky State Police said the robbery happened about 2 p.m. at the bank in Madison County. Troopers identified the victims as Breanna Edwards, 35, of Madison County, and Brian Switzer, 42, of Jessamine County. Both worked at the branch. The FBI later took over the investigation as local, state and federal officers searched across central Kentucky.
Trooper Scottie Pennington said a masked man entered the bank and opened fire during the robbery. Police said the suspect left the bank after the shooting. Trooper Justin Kearney said the man was last seen wearing a light-colored hooded sweatshirt, dark gloves, gray sweatpants and light-colored athletic shoes. Berea police said the suspect was considered armed and dangerous during the search.
Investigators said the suspect’s vehicle was later spotted in Berea. Officers tried to stop it, but the driver fled, leading police on a pursuit that ended in Fayette County when the vehicle crashed into a tree. Authorities searched near Bryan Station and Johnston roads in Lexington after the crash. Police said drones, helicopters, dogs and door-to-door checks were used as agencies worked to find the man.
The shooting affected nearby schools and Berea College. The college was placed on lockdown during the search, and that lockdown was later lifted. Local school officials also took safety steps while police looked for the suspect. Authorities did not immediately say whether money was taken from the bank or what led to the shooting.
By Friday morning, police said a person of interest believed to be connected to the robbery had been taken into custody. WKYT reported that the suspect was identified in a federal criminal complaint as Brailen Weaver. Kearney said the person was captured near Interstate 64. Officials did not immediately release full details about charges, court dates or whether more arrests were expected.
U.S. Bank said it was grieving the deaths of its employees and working with law enforcement. The company said its thoughts were with the victims’ families, coworkers and the Berea community. Pennington said officers were focused on bringing the person responsible to justice as the investigation moved from a search to a federal case.
The case remained active Friday, with the FBI and Kentucky State Police leading the investigation. Authorities had not released a full timeline of the robbery, pursuit and arrest by late Friday morning.
Author note: Last updated May 1, 2026.