SOUTH BEND — A bank robber is dead after being chased and then shot by police Friday afternoon.

It all started when the man was standing in line at the 1st Source Bank at 3655 Portage Avenue near Bendix Drive. The bank's manager called police when he recognized him as the same man who robbed the bank last week.

The man pulled out a knife and robbed the bank. He was given a dye pack along with several hundred dollars.

When police arrived the man ran. After a chase, officers surrounded him in a field behind Calvary Baptist Church near Bendix Drive. Police say the man attacked two police officers with a knife that was long enough to penetrate their vests and kill them. They say that's when police fired several rounds out of self-defense.

This incident just like all incidents is about choice," said Commander Tim Corbett, St. Joseph County Metro Homicide. "The choice was made by this suspect to rob a bank, to take a weapon, to turn and face the officers, and to attack the officers."

A store clerk says the robber was fleeing the scene when he turned around and started running back toward police.

“I saw three police cars come flying into the parking lot,” Amber Bashore told WSBT News. “I look over and see a guy come over the side. I guess he saw the cops, turned around and took back off. That's when I heard the gunshots.”

The man died instantly. Police are not releasing his identity until family has been notified.

Metro Homicide is investigating. They aren't confident this is the same man who robbed 1st Source Bank and another bank last week.

Click the link in the Multimedia box to watch the entire press conference.

Stay with WSBT.com for updates.