Accused SunTrust Bank Shooter Pleads Not Guilty

SEBRING, FL -- Accused SunTrust bank shooter Zephen Xaver has pleaded not guilty to charges that he murdered five women inside a Sebring bank branch on Jan. 23.

The 21-year-old Xaver surrendered to police after barricading himself inside the branch, according to Sebring police. The branch is located at 1901 US 27 South.

Court documents filed in Highlands County, Florida show that Xaver submitted his plea in writing. The plea was filed on Wednesday.

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"Further, the defendant reserves the right to file defensive motion challenging the legality and sufficiency of the grand jury indictment," wrote Xaver's public defender, Howard L. "Rex" Dimmig II in the court filing.

Xaver was booked on five counts of premeditated first-degree murder.

In describing the attack, Sebring Police Chief Karl Hoglund said that the five women were "senselessly murdered" when Xaver walked into the bank about 12:36 p.m. and fired multiple gunshots. A man, believed to be Xaver then called the police dispatch center to report the shooting, saying, “I have shot five people.”

A police affidavit said that all five women were found lying face down in the bank’s lobby with gunshots to the backs of their heads. The affidavit said shell casings from the shooter’s 9 mm handgun were scattered on the floor.

Authorities found Xaver in an office in the rear of the bank.