ST. GEORGE – The Washington County Critical Incident Task Force has been deployed to investigate an officer-involved shooting that occurred in Washington City Thursday, an incident that concluded with the death of the suspect now identified by the Washington County Attorney’s Office as Benjamin J. Schroff, 37. His family has issued a statement broadly, and his stepsister met with St. George News personally on Friday, sharing thoughts of her stepbrother.
Statement issued by the Washington County Attorney’s Office
The investigation is ongoing and investigators from multiple agencies are actively working on the case.
More: Bank robbery, kidnapping ends in fatal shooting; STGnews Videocast and News LIVE: Suspect in Zions Bank robbery confirmed dead
“The description of events described below is supported by the initial investigation,” the county attorney’s press release said, “but additional information may come to light as the investigation continues.”
On Thursday, at approximately 1:45 p.m., St. George Police officers responded to a report of a bank robbery at Zions Bank, located at 717 S. River Road in St. George.
The robbery suspect, now identified as Benjamin J. Schroff, 37, entered Zions Bank wearing a disguise and brandishing a firearm. Schroff demanded money and bank employees complied. After taking an undisclosed amount of money, Schroff took two female bank employees hostage.
Schroff and the hostages got into one of the hostage’s vehicles. One of the hostages drove the vehicle at the command of Schroff. Shortly after leaving the bank, a witness identified the vehicle Schroff and the hostages were in. After the vehicle was identified, many St. George Police officers caught up with the suspect and attempted to stop the vehicle.
Schroff demanded that the hostage keep driving as he began discharging firearms from the vehicle toward police officers, according to the press release. Schroff used at least two different firearms to shoot at the pursuing police vehicles. Many police vehicles were hit by bullets fired by Schroff, but no officers were injured.
The pursuit took the suspect, hostages and officers into Washington City. As the pursuit entered the area of 1575 South and Heritage Fields Drive in Washington, Schroff exited the vehicle and ran into a field carrying his firearms. After Schroff exited the vehicle, the two hostages escaped by driving away. The hostages were not physically injured.
Multiple police agencies responded to the area and set up a containment perimeter. While searching the area into which Schroff had fled, police encountered him. Schroff had a shotgun in his hands and was taking a shooting position toward police officers, according to the press release. Officers gave Schroff repeated verbal commands. Schroff did not comply with the officers’ commands. Officers discharged their firearms at Schroff to prevent him from harming the officers or other citizens. Two officers discharged their firearms and multiple shots were fired at Schroff by each officer.
Medical assistance was summoned immediately to provide medical attention to Schroff. However, he was pronounced dead at the scene, having succumbed to his injuries.
Two firearms were recovered at the scene, one handgun and one shotgun, which are believed to have been in Schroff’s possession, according to the county attorney’s press release. Evidence from the bank robbery was also recovered at the scene. At the time of the shooting, in addition to the firearms, Schroff was carrying additional ammunition and was wearing a bulletproof vest.
The investigation into the bank robbery is ongoing and is being conducted by the St. George Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The investigation into the shooting is also ongoing and being conducted by the Washington County Critical Incident Task Force.
Family response
Schroff’s family released the following statement concerning Thursday’s events:
We, the family, extend our sincerest apologies to all those who were impacted by the actions of our son, brother and father. We are not making any excuses for his actions but hope that your love and support will be shown to his family who is also suffering.
We are also specifically aware of the hostages, bank employees and all directly and indirectly affected that day. We are so sorry that you had to meet him at the lowest point of his life and hope that you will find strength and healing at this time.
His stepsister, Julie Santiago, sat down with St. George News Friday afternoon.
“He was a great guy,” Santiago said. It appeared he had fallen into “a bad and dark place and he didn’t see a way out out of it,” she said.
Schroff was born in the area and raised locally, Santiago said, and his stepfather is a retired police officer who served with a local agency. He had also recently opened a business in St. George and has worked as a roofer and a handyman.
Schroff was also the father of two children, ages 17 and 19. One of Schroff’s children had a disability, Santiago said, which led to Schroff becoming an advocate for disabled children. He also volunteered with the Coins for Kids charity.
Court records show Schroff was cited for traffic offenses and served 60 days in the Washington County Purgatory Correctional Facility in 2010 for speeding through a portion of Zion National Park while leaving the Kolob area with a hunting rifle hanging in the back window of his vehicle. For taking the rifle through that portion of the park, park rangers charged Schroff with improper transport of a weapon, as well as interfering with agency functions in addition to speeding. The charges stemming from the arrest were all rated as misdemeanors.
Ultimately, Santiago said, Schroff was a good man who made a mistake.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Washington County Attorney’s Office at 435-634-5723 or the St. George Police Department dispatch, if after hours, at 435-627-4300.
St. George News Reporter Travis Romney contributed to this report.
Ed. Note: It was originally reported that Schroff served six months in jail. This figure was reported in error and has been corrected.
Related posts
- Bank robbery, kidnapping ends in fatal shooting; STGnews Videocast
- News LIVE: Suspect in Zions Bank robbery confirmed dead; updated 5:12 p.m.
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Twitter: @STGnews
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2014, all rights reserved.
This breaks my heart. The bank employees suffered yesterday, the community suffered, and even the brave men and women of our law enforcement suffered. Nothing can match the suffering this family will have to endure. There are no excuses for his behavior but there must have been a reason why he was so desperate. Prayers for everyone involved.
This breaks my heart. The bank employees suffered yesterday, the community suffered, and even the brave men and women of our law enforcement suffered. However, nothing can match the suffering this family will have to endure. There are no excuses for his behavior but there must have been a reason why he was so desperate. Prayers for everyone involved.
Thank you to all of our law enforcement officers that risked their lives to protect all of us during this event .Our thoughts and prayers go out to the bank tellers who were traumatized by this. Gods speed to you; we hope you can recover from this tragic event.
I agree so many people rant and rave about cops just because they got caught speeding and got a ticket.
Thanks to all the Officers in Washington County, We the people do appreciate the risks you take for our way of life!!!
Desperate people do desperate things that have bad consequences. This being a local boy just shows that despite what some locals think, outsiders aren’t to blame for all the crimes committed in their little berg.
Its about … time someone starts seeing that the outsiders are not the only problem people around here. The Morman community is just as stewed up as the rest of the world.
Ed. ellipsis.
WELL SAID.
You know, it is too bad that just once, you can’t refrain from making a negative, thoughtless, juvenile post.
During desperate times people will commit desperate acts of violence. Sad that this had to occur. Fortunately, no other persons were harmed. Prayers to this individuals family and to all others who were involved, to include law enforcement and bank employees. Kudos to all law enforcement who did what they were trained to do and kept the community safe. Truly a sad day in Washington County.
He was a good man that did a horrible thing. My heart goes out to his family and everyone involved.
A good man making a mistake? No, he deliberately robbed a bank, deliberately kidnapped hostages, deliberately tried to kill police by shooting at them from the hostages car, and deliberately put scores of people’s lives in danger. That’s not a mistake.. For being a red state there sure are a lot of bleeding hearts out here..
So, does that same logic apply to Max Hall? He deliberately used cocaine and shoplifted from two stores. So, he must not be a good man either.
That’s is why people shouldn’t jump the gun in their opinion . I know family members and he wanted to end his life and suffering. There are many victims. There are no bleeding hearts only those who despise death and feel compation. I feel your anger and ask for you to feel for those still alive and in need of love.
If this … wanted to end his life, why didn’t he just have the guts to do it? Why put hostages at risk, why fire on cops? Don’t be so darn stupid, you bleeding heart idiot.
Ed. ellipsis.
Why must you be such a jerk about this ? A human being died, and that is not something that should be forgotten or minimized. How much pain and desperation must he have been in to act the way he did ? Instead of spending your time criticizing and demeaning, maybe you should spend it being grateful that you have never experienced that kind of pain, desperation, and feeling of hopelessness. Call me a bleeding heart, to me that’s just another description of a person with empathy for others.
You didn’t know him so you cannot possibly understand what kind of person he is/was. How about you shut your mouth until you are properly informed??
Your statement is so true. All of his actions were deliberate. The part that saddens me is wondering what has driven a human to commit these crimes? The people and events in his life are what has caused this individual to behave in such an irrational manner. Clearly he was not supported or counseled in a manner to which he would have believed there was an alternative way to deal with his issues. I beg you people to PLEASE offer support to your friends and loved ones when they are suffering and their life is in turmoil. Please spread genuine love, kindness, generosity & Hugs to all humans, animals and the universe. Also, please do not forget to forgive those who have wronged you… I hope that everyone can feel positive Tearful vibration through this message. Namastay. XOX 528
My prayers, and thoughts to all involved.
Ben was a kind, and generous man. No one is saying he was a perfect person but he had issues that tormented him. It would be a wonderful opportunity if all of the mentally confused and lost people in this world of suffering had the means for good mental healthcare. He was in a very dark place and obviously felt he had no way out. One sure thing we can all count on is that this life holds a lot of suffering. Some people take drugs to die, others drink themselves to death to run from the pain. He chose a horrible way to leave this world, but a kind and loving Father in Heaven will be his judge. I certainly won’t be judging anyone who is in such a dark place.
There isn’t a human being alive who doesn’t have “issues.” That’s just tough. Grow a set, and deal with these “issues” as an adult. If you are going to chicken out with suicide, then don’t involve other people. My word, you fools make me want to puke.
They stay off the message board, the world has enough hate out there already so keep yours to yourself.
His Facebook accounts reads: “King at i own the world.” Probably an ironic statement that the world was getting the best of him.
I am sure this is very hard for his family. None of us would like to have their problems. I wish them the very best. I know what it feels like to have family be less than who they should be. It is a painful, difficult, experience. Sadly this ended in the worst possible way. May God help them through this.
I disagree that this ended in the worst possible way. The worst possible way would be if the hostages had been killed. Heaven knows they certainly suffered mental anguish and trauma at his hands. And how about him shooting at the cops, when he had the hostages with him? This dirt bag got just what he had coming to him. No more, no less.
Yes, it is very tough on the family, and I have a lot of sympathy for them. But for anyone to defend him, (I know his family is NOT defending his actions,) is just plain crazy and stupid.
That cocaine….it’s a hell of a drug.
Wow, a mistake? I am sorry but anyone who disguises himself, dons a bullet proof vest, garners 2 loaded weapons and ammunition, levels the weapons at innocent people, robs a bank, takes 2 hostages, fires at police and whomever else was around at the time, did not make a mistake. He planned it. A mistake is an error, this was not an error, but a blatant disregard for other people. I am sorry for his family, they did not do anything. BUT they should not say it was a mistake.
Char! Thank you for your attempt in bringing back some sanity to the mix! I completely agree! A-Freaking-men! On a side note, I’m so sick of hearing the same crap, “thoughts and prayers”. Give me a break! Or perhaps a brake!!! Quit praying and go do something!
Hey youranidiot. The bankrobber yesterday was a good man. Hes my uncle, and he was at the very lowest point in his life. Your just full of …. Thats all im going to say other than …
Ed. ellipses.
Oh yeah, Uncle Goodman. All he did was rob a bank, kidnap two people and try to kill cops. A REAL GOODMAN.
Any other stupid ideas you want to put forth.
Your uncle was a kidnapper and a bank robber and a criminal and an idiot and I’m glad he’s dead now we don’t have to feed and pay for his trial I’m glad the police officers are ok
It makes me sick to after reading these comments from all you people out there who just don’t understand. Did he do a terrible thing?…he sure did. Was this planned out? who knows. Desperate people do desperate things and I myself have been in low points such as Ben in my life but did not take the “easy way out”… luckily. When I think back now at those times it amazes me on just how low even the best of us can become and believe it or not…this could have been any one of you. You just don’t have the common sense and/or past experiences to understand that. RIP Ben…the short time I knew you was enough to tell me how good of a person you are and today tells me just how quickly that can all go away.
A baby dies in a car due to parental neglect, and the herd holds a fundraiser for the parent. Someone robs a bank, take hostages, shoot at cops and the herd doles out mounds of sympathy for the criminal. Someone shoots a feral cat, and the same herd wants to lock him up for life. In my opinion, the herd has its priorities screwed up.
To The person that wrote this, calls himself herd, why do you always have to exaggerate to make your point?
Where is the exaggeration in this person’s statements? Seriously.
I THINK IT IS THE TRUTH AND IS 100 % FACTUAL.
SORRY U DISAGREE ALOT OF OF AGREE WITH THT HERD.
This site is open to debates and differences of opinions. Lats time I checked we lived in the US where freedom of speech is acceptable.
Hey Herd, my sentiments exactly. It’s upsidedown and insideout around here.
Yeah… this is definitely the most unlawful state there is in the Union. I had a cop proposition me on the phone and I had to go to jail and pay five grand to get out and while I was in jail my baby died… what the …* is going on here? It must be because i told him I will do no such thing & I am in Walmart and we have 25 witnesses listening to him proposition me?
Ed. ellipsis …*
nobody will ever know why he did what he did, he was
off the chain for sure and officers did what they had to do,my heart goes out to all involved I just wonder did they have to shoot him so many times or could they have taken him alive, he has definitely paid for his crime
You are kidding, right? I would bet my life that you have never been on the receiving end of having a gun pointed at you. Oh, and just how many times do you think they shot him?
He was not very good at robbing banks
I am still waiting for the anti police tirade from Bryan Hyde.
This mostly unavoidable shooting does not justify all of the abuse of power we see from law enforcement and the courts almost daily all over the nation. Some times, (rarely ) an issue is so serious that it must be ended this way. This should be the extreme exception and not an acceptable default position. That is the strong point that Bryan and the rest of us with these views are using our first amendment right to speak out about. You can disagree with us but as I read the US constitution, we have the right to speak, to write, and to peacefully protest about this issue. An example being the protests in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Albuquerque police officials are now in Las Vegas, Nevada trying to learn how to stop shooting people because there has been such a stink raised about it by we the people.
Here is an idea…if you don’t like what you read in the comment section, then don’t read the comments. Just read the article and keep your feelings to yourself or just stick to your own Facebook page where people care about your feelings. Don’t complain when something is said that is negative. You are only going to be down on yourself because we just don’t care about how much compassion you have for the world. There are good men out there who make bad decisions. The key word there is MEN. He knew what he was doing, he was a grown man with children. So he knew the difference between right and wrong. What if this was just some crackhead from the streets? Would the same amount of compassion be shown for his/her and their family? A person actions reflect exactly who they are! Unless they have taken some drug that made such person go nuts. Or if said person has a mental disorder. GO FALCONS!
You raise some good points, Josh. As usual! But I want to throw something else out here in regard to your post. Even if someone has a mental disorder, it does not mean that they are not capable of hurting/killing. And if they MADE THE DECISION to take a drug, then there is absolutely no excuse.
The bottom line here, is not about “revenge,” or whatever, it is about one thing, and one thing only. And that is protecting the public from someone who has absolutely no regard for anyone else at a given time.
The idea is to stop the immediate dangerous action. If it means taking a life, so be it.
I agree if that idiot Hyde pulls his anti police crap and the editor publishes it on here we should boycot SG News. What Bryan and a few people don’t realize is that all the law enforcement it Southern Utah do a fine job. We have not turned into the high crime places like Salt Lake and West Valley. I think our Officers do a great job and hope they don’t get tired of a few outspoken cop haters. Can you imagine what our quality of life would be without them. Look at what they just did, run after a man that just did what he did and had a gun and vest to shoot back. They never gave up. I would never do what they did for the $19.00 an hour we let our elected officials pay them that is just wrong. Until I watched this ordeal unfold out my living room window I must have never realized what strong and professional officers we have for that I am sorry. And what you men did is courageous and bold. My wife Karen and I thank you for keeping this man from coming back into our neighborhood and giving us the quality of life we so take for granted. I hope all the Officers involved and the ones that had to shoot him recover from what they had to do.
These Officers are great men that have to deal with all of our problems day after day. It’s the lawyers and the judges that don’t put people ways and ruin our quality of life so these same criminals are let out time after time. I would be willing to bet this is not this man’s first running with the law.
Ben is my cousin and although his actions were devastating and wrong, he has a family who loves him and will miss him horribly. My heartfelt condolences go out to everyone involved. To those who have negative comments only, this wasn’t a person who just decided to rob a bank and put people in harms way, this was a man who had reached a point he felt had no way out. We love you Ben, may you rest in peace. And to the 2 women taken, may time heal you and help you find peace.
Ok so he WAS a great guy but also a JUNKIE, who had a supportive family. He had MENTAL health issues….where was the family at when he needed help, Did they bury their head in the sand? WAKE UP WE ALL HAVE ISSUES. Life is never fair so deal with it.
Where was the family? Are you kidding me? Every family in this area who has a loved one who is struggling with addiction has been there 24/7 trying to help. It is a very painful heartbreaking process.
Here’s the problem: There is not a magic solution to this problem. Believe me, we have tried EVERYTHING for years now. And I mean everything.
If you have the answer, PLEASE let us know what it is. Please let treatment facilities and hospitals know. You could also makes Millions of dollars helping addicts and alcoholics to be clean forever if you have the answer.
People much smarted than you have been working on this for many, many years now with no magic solution yet.
If you do not have a serious addiction problem in your immediate family and don’t understand what is really going on , PLEASE keep your comments to your self. You only embarrass yourself with your unintelligent view of something you nothing about.
Also, families of people who show up on STG News, please don’t feed the trolls. They are just looking for reaction from others to supplement their pathetic lives.
Roger, we all understand the problems faced by the family. This guy is not the first, nor will he be the last, dirt bag to cause his family heartbreak. And I think most of us have extreme sympathy for them. But what I cannot condone, is people who are defending him. THAT is inexcusable.
And think about the heartache that the responding officers are going through. Their lives will never be the same, thanks to this self centered scumbag.
Should we start them (the family) a fundraiser?
Of all the comments, I agree with Herd. But, you do have to have sympathy for the robber’s family.
Really sad for all involved, it’s to bad that fella allowed himself to be swolled whole..
Here’s a poem of his? Written 04/13
Found on powerpoetry.org
POEMS FROM BENJAMIN.SCHROFF.1
INSIDIOUS LOVE
I sit in darkness
all that exists is anger
bubbling over me
I try to push back
but resistance is futile
it will take over
I hide my true self
behind a gentle facade
hiding emotion
Emotion took me
to the darkness I am in
to slowly eat me
I can not handle
the monster I created
through such deep feeling
The feeling of love
is very insidious
it slowly kills me
Because of this love
the anger set in to lead
blocking out all else
It had been lurking
waiting for the best moment
to snatch up its prey
Now I am trapped
I am enslaved to the rage
made strong by neglect
I don’t understand
how love leads to such anger
I fear its red glow
The red glow of rage
glides to me in the darkness
slowly transforming
When it reaches me
it has a definite shape:
a red glowing man
His voice was an echo
“I have trapped you in your love”
the glowing echo said
The red turned orange
and the darkness swallowed me
the final trap sprung
Who cares he’s dead thats good enough for just saved the tax payers the cost of feeding him and a trial.
My heart aches for the suspects family. The police personnel did what was safe for the community and I thank them for their bravery and pray for the witnesses that will be scarred for life. St George is really a great town to live in.
Im sorry about how the situation endedwith your uncle. I didnt knowhim but i knew his son. Youhave to be at an incredibly low point or reall need the money to do something like that. I just wish it would have gone a little differently.
To the bank employees that this maniac terrorized, I am so sorry for what you went through. Luckily this degenerate won’t be doing this to anyone else ever again. Thank you to the police!!
“Suicide by cop!” Yes, that’s exactly what it was. I’m an outsider to your community. Yes, I’ve never lived in St. George, UT. Do I know this man? Yes, I do! In several ways. I knew him as a young boy, and knew he and his wonderful family. I knew this man long before he ever made this fatal decision on Thursday. He’s in all of us. At any given time, any of us can be desperate enough to do things that we, in our rational selves would not do. I have children. One of them even was killed by depression in a desperate attempt to make things right. Did he rob a bank? No, but he robbed his own self by not being able to overcome his situation. We look at celebrities and society forgives them, and judges ignore them. The wealthy in our country literally get away with many crimes to society, and yet we forgive them. This young man was a part of your community. I don’t understand the hatred toward him. Do you understand your hatred? I don’t understand the name calling either. I hope you all realize that he was a man that if he desired, not a singe officer would be standing. He was a crack shot. Had he been the murderer and the other vial names used in these comments, he would have made it happen. Did he break the law? Absolutely! Kidnapping is a federal offence. Robbing a bank is a federal offence. Did he deserve a fair trial? Yes, but in the final analysis, he will get the fairest trial that each of you who believe in a kind and loving God will desire the same kind of judgement. In your name vial name calling and judging, remember that each is but a step away from stepping over a line. All we have to to is step over that line. The line from rational thought to desperation and insanity. Good luck to each of you and your vial name calling. Good luck to your families. My hope to each of you who has chosen not to take a higher road will find your judgment just. You can open up on me, I don’t live in your community. I’m not a “morman” either. I belong to a much higher group than that. I hope that this awesome family finds peace and support among you all. They have lost a son who was a human being and even in desperate circumstances still choose to be a human and killed no one even though he had the ability (skills) to do so. The officers involved did their job. No one will dispute that. It is never an easy thing to do. I hope that in the end, all will have compassion and love toward one another.
hey twin how miserable are you in your life? sounds like your nothing but pissed off. i knew Ben as well as anybody and yes I am mad as … at him for what he did but he was an awsome father and the kind of friend who would give you the shirt off his back. have some compassion for his family and kids,and lay off the negativity.
and your dead on shaun the family is awsome!!! they have been in my life since I was born, and yes he would have shot the officers if it was his intentions. He will be missed
Ed. ellipsis.
I’m not at all miserable in my life. But yes, I AM pissed off. I am pissed off at all you low life scum who are trying to tell us what an upstanding, wonderful guy this piece of garbage was. Because any one who has been around at all, knows you are lying through your teeth.
My negativity is stoked by you bleeding heart sacks of excrement who are trying to turn a scum bag into an angel.
And I just really enjoy the idiots on here who have no conception of how stupid their misspellings make them look. But that really isn’t the point.
Funny, your comment didn’t change my desire to judge at all. I still think the degenerate is a degenerate. By the way, you spelled “offense” wrong.
Suicide by cop? That was my fist thought too, but then I heard he was wearing a bulletproof vest. If I were planning “suicide by cop” I certainly wouldn’t include one in my wardrobe.
you would if you wanted to make sure they shot to kill not just to wound.
You and your brother L (probably the same poster,) are totally full of it. You are so clueless it is pitiful.
God can judge him. I refuse to. but my opinion is that everyone goes through rough times and some don’t have the mental capability to handle it. the definition of mistake is “an action or judgment that is misguided or wrong.” by that definition I think he did make a mistake. No one deserves to die. even the most evil of people because its not our job to judge them or to take their life. To all the Mormon haters I want you to know that I am in no way a religious person and I am not Mormon. I just have respect for all human life.
This comment is in no way defending his actions. It was only meant to express my opinion on the negativity some people are spreading in regards to the death of a human.
I want to write one comment. What I’m seeing through all of these comments is that the only people who think he’s a degenerate or a bad person, are people who had never met him. You never spent time with him. You never sat down and talked to him. If you had, I would guarantee you that you would love him as much as we do. Even the few talks we had showed me just how much heart he had. In a lot of ways, he was better than most people. I didnt have to be his best friend for him to care or to do any favor. How he died isn’t a full report on who he was or how he lived. Its an excuse for people who didn’t know him to criticize. All of us who love him don’t really care if you think this or that. We KNOW.