READINGTON, N.J. (AP) – An FBI agent was killed in a shootout with three bank robbery suspects Thursday in north central New Jersey, a law enforcement official said.

The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the agent’s family had not been told of his death, said the agent was alive when brought to University Hospital in Newark by helicopter, but efforts to save him failed.

“He didn’t make it,” the official said.

Other law enforcement officials, also speaking anonymously because the investigation was ongoing, said agents were investigating a string of recent bank robberies in central New Jersey when they came upon the suspects leaving a bank near Route 22 in Readington. A shootout ensued.

One suspect was captured and two fled to nearby woods, the official said. State and local authorities are searching for the suspects with helicopters and dogs.

State Route 22 was closed off, as well as several roads leading to fields and wooded areas. About two dozen police cars were massed around the area of a PNC Bank while several helicopters circled overhead.

Dawn Graner, a bookkeeper at Arvins Farm and Garden Center off Route 22, said authorities told employees not to leave the building because they’re “looking for somebody,” but she said they didn’t say anything else.

Brothers Justin and Eddie McGlynn, whose grandparents own Arvins, had been out making a delivery during the shootout.

“We got the call and they said, ‘Don’t come back,'” said Justin McGlynn, 20.

Both McGlynns and their grandparents, Vincent and Esther DeStefano, live behind the produce store.

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Associated Press writers Angela Delli Santi in Trenton and Jeffrey Gold in Newark contributed to this report.