Man with history of bank robberies shot and killed by Sacramento police

Andrew Baima, 56, had recently been released from prison for a 2012 bank robbery on the same street

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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A 56-year-old man with a history of bank robberies was shot and killed by Sacramento police officers last month after allegedly robbing a bank on the same street where he had committed a previous robbery in 2012. Andrew Baima had recently been released from prison after serving his full sentence for the 2012 incident.

Why it matters

This case raises questions about the effectiveness of the criminal justice system in rehabilitating repeat offenders and preventing them from committing similar crimes after being released from prison. It also highlights the challenges law enforcement faces in dealing with potentially armed and dangerous suspects.

The details

According to police, officers responded to a report of a bank robbery in progress on January 29th along the 1600 block of Response Road. Employees said the suspect, later identified as Baima, claimed to have a gun and demanded money from the teller. Baima was located nearby and fled on foot, leading police on a chase. During the pursuit, officers said Baima raised his arm and pointed a dark object at them, prompting them to open fire. Baima was struck and killed, and police later determined he had an imitation firearm, not a real gun.

  • On June 29, 2012, Baima robbed a bank on the 1600 block of Response Road.
  • Baima was released from prison on June 3, 2025 after serving his full sentence for the 2012 bank robbery.
  • The latest incident occurred on January 29, 2026 when police responded to a report of a bank robbery in progress on the 1600 block of Response Road.

The players

Andrew Baima

A 56-year-old man with a history of bank robberies, including a 2012 incident on the same street where he was recently killed by police.

Sacramento Police Department

The law enforcement agency that responded to the reported bank robbery and shot and killed Baima.

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What they’re saying

“Believe me I'm not proud of all that's in my past, but as far as a life of crime, I think that was what I was destined for. I always loved competition and all the odds being against me. I know had I grown up somewhere back east, I would have been part of some kind of mob where I killed, robbed, and extorted, and spent the other portion enjoying life. That's basically just how I'm built. Life was just a game to me, and that's what it always will be...”

— Andrew Baima (Sacramento County Superior Court criminal records)

What’s next

The Sacramento Police Department is investigating the shooting incident to determine if the use of force was justified.

The takeaway

This tragic case highlights the ongoing challenges of rehabilitating repeat offenders and preventing them from committing similar crimes after being released from prison, as well as the difficult decisions law enforcement must make when confronting potentially armed and dangerous suspects.