PARIS - A Brink's security guard was killed during a robbery at an ATM machine in a crowded hospital lobby in a Paris suburb. It was the second armed robbery involving the security company in the last month.
Two hooded gunmen exchanged gunfire with guards before making off with $65,000 in cash at the Villejuif hospital, located just outside of Paris. Jean-Luc Hulot, a 40-year-old father of three, died from a bullet wound to the head, the Associated Press reported. Another guard suffered light injuries.
One of France's largest trade unions, CFDT, reported that guards for the security company stopped working for several hours after the incident in a show of solidarity. Brink's offered a $145,000 reward for the arrest of the two gunmen.
On Dec. 26, authorities said thieves escaped with $4.8 million when they attacked a Brink's truck by blasting a hole in its side. One guard was injured in that attack. Attacks on security guards last year led to a strike by guards from Brink's and other security companies. The strike led to a shortage in the cash supply at ATM machines throughout France.
