Cincinnati police said a robbery suspect pulled the trigger on his gun once and was about to try again when he was fatally shot Friday morning by an off-duty Cincinnati Police officer.

        Officer Eddie Hawkins shot the man, identified as Brandon Lowe, 18, formerly of Lebanon, at the CinFed Credit Union branch in Roselawn.

        It was the second time this year that the Roselawn CinFed branch incurred a robbery that led to police officers shooting a suspect.

        Mr. Lowe, who did not have any identification, was hit in the back and arm. He was taken to University Hospital, where he died on the operating table at 10:54 a.m., less than two hours after the robbery.

        Police are still investigating whether Mr. Lowe had any connection to the record number of bank robberies that have occurred in Hamilton County this year.

        Friday morning's bank robbery was the 43rd this year in Cincinnati, compared to 24 in the city for all of 2000. It was the 64th this year in the county, compared to 53 for all of 2000.

        In January, Cincinnati police officers shot Christian Johnson, 48, of Forest Park, three times as he ran from the bank. Mr. Johnson carried a loaded gun. He recovered and has been sentenced to 16 years in prison.

        Police Chief Tom Streicher commended Officer Hawkins, 29, for his conduct. His actions were captured by the credit union's camera.

        Officer Hawkins joined the Cincinnati Police Division in 1999. He has been working out of District 4 since October.

        That district began stationing off-duty police officers at the credit union at 7364 Reading Road, years ago. Friday was Officer Hawkins' turn.

        According to Chief Streicher, the robber entered CinFed, brandishing a .32-caliber, five-shot silvery handgun, about 9:30 a.m.

        With his face hidden by a white cloth, he threw a pillow case over the counter and ordered the bank teller to fill it with $50 and $100 bills.

        Officer Hawkins was hidden behind the bank teller. He radioed police before ordering the bank robber to lay down his gun. When he refused and pointed the gun at the officer — and apparently tried to shoot it — Officer Hawkins fired. The bank robber backed away, still pointing his gun toward the officer, when Officer Hawkins shot twice more.

        The bank robber managed to get out the front door before he toppled onto the sidewalk.

        His revolver indicated that he shot once but the gun misfired. The gun was cocked — ready to shoot again — when police discovered it on the sidewalk, Chief Streicher said.

        Chief Streicher said the crime is hard to prevent.

        “There are so many banks around the city,” he said. “It's difficult to target.”

        FOP President Keith Fangman said he spent a good part of the day with Officer Hawkins.

        When asked how Officer Hawkins was doing, Mr. Fangman said: “Anytime an officer is involved in a police-intervention death, it is very traumatic for them, and Officer Hawkins is no exception.”

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