VIDEO: Police Clear Security Guard, Release Footage of Fatal Bank Robbery Shooting

ROCKFORD, IL — A bank security guard in Rockford, Illinois, has been cleared of any wrongdoing in the fatal shooting of an armed robber in January.

Rockford police this week said the guard shot and killed Laurence R. Turner, 34, after Turner entered Alpine Bank at around 4 p.m. Jan. 20 and opened fire.

"Security footage shows Laurence R. Turner went inside the business armed with a gun and wearing a mask," police said. "He fired a shot into the air, then pointed his gun and fired at the Metro Security Guard who was on duty at the time."

The guard returned fire and hit Turner.

Bank surveillance video released this week by police shows the security guard chatting with employees just before Turner runs into the bank. The employees take cover as Turner fires his weapon and the security guard fires back. In the video, Turner crouches behind the counter, continuing to exchange fire with the guard, then rolls to the door, attempting to flee and appearing to drop his gun before collapsing in the doorway. Employees can be seen reaching for their cell phones as the security guard goes outside to check on Turner, who was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

WATCH: WARNING — THIS VIDEO CONTAINS DISTURBING FOOTAGE

This week, Rockford Police said they had completed their investigation of the incident, which was also reviewed by the Winnebago County State's Attorney's Office, and cleared the security guard.

"An investigation into the guard’s use of deadly force shows that he was justified when he shot and killed armed robbery suspect (Turner)," police said. No customers were inside the bank at the time of the robbery.

Police have also linked Turner to several other previously unsolved armed robberies, including a Nov. 23 holdup at Mincemoyer Jewelry, a Nov. 28 robbery at Harvard State Bank and a Dec. 16 stickup at Members Alliance Credit Union.

"Detectives were able to link Turner to these incidents based on physical, scientific, and other investigative information recovered," police said. "As a result of Turner’s death, these investigations are considered closed."

Photo: Laurence Turner/Rockford Police Department