Credit Union Teller Killed in Early Morning Robbery Attempt; Suspect Apprehended

ORLANDO, Fla. – A woman who had worked for a credit union for just over two months was killed September 7 during an early morning robbery attempt at the branch where she worked. Dianne Goigel, vice president of marketing for the $1 billion Fairwinds Credit Union, headquartered in Orlando, said that the employee, Sue Ellen Gelsinger, was unmarried and had family outside Florida. She had worked for Fairwinds since the end of June, 2004. The credit union has kept its comments fairly restricted, citing the ongoing police investigation that closed the branch where the attack occurred for at least one day and maybe longer. “It is with deep sadness and regret that we report the loss of one of our employees, Sue Ellen Gelsinger, who was fatally shot this morning during a robbery attempt at our Sand Lake Service Center,” the credit union said. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to Sue Ellen’s family and loved ones. We are thankful that the police were in the area and responded quickly. The suspect was apprehended.” Details of the attack have been slowly leaking out. According to media and police reports, 20-year-old Luc Termitus was laying in wait for Fairwinds employees when they arrived on September 7 to open the credit union’s branch on Sand Lake Road. One employee, either Gelsinger or another, was already inside and when they opened the door to let the next employee in, Termitus allegedly rushed the door. Once inside, Termitus allegedly demanded Gelsinger open the vault and, soon after, the woman had been shot in the head. Goigel said that there had been some discussion of the possibility that Gelsinger might have been shot by accident. Another employee’s call to 911 brought police, who had been in the area anyway to address problems caused by Hurricane Frances, in less than a minute. Goigel said the employee, who had a cellular phone, had called police after she had arrived at work and seen what was going on inside through the window. Goigel reported that the Fairwinds’ Employee Assistance Plan had been activated for the two employees who had been on the scene when Gelsinger had been killed, as well as for employees throughout the organization who might also suffer from the additional stress the attack brought. Fairwinds employees had already suffered from the stress of the damage and disruption Hurricanes Charley and Frances brought within three weeks of one another that had closed branches due to loss of power and damaged some employees’ homes. -