WATERBURY, Conn. -- A gunman shot an off-duty Waterbury firefighter battalion chief who police said tried to thwart a bank robbery late Wednesday morning.

Additionally, a car spotted close to the scene prompted a police chase. The car was thought to have been involved in the bank robbery, but was ruled unrelated by Waterbury police.

A masked man wearing all-black entered the Webster Bank branch in the 300 block of Highland Avenue shortly before 11:30 a.m. Highland Avenue and the bank remained shut down through the early evening.

Waterbury firefighter battalion chief Felix Sambuco, a customer inside the bank, tried to grab the gunman from behind and struggled with the man before he wrestled free, police said.

"He walked up behind the suspect, he wrapped his arms around him in an attempt to subdue him. During that altercation, the gun discharged and Firefighter Sambuco was struck in the leg by the shot that was fired," Waterbury Police Chief Neil O'Leary said. "We consider his actions heroic."

Later Wednesday evening, Sambuco recalled the situation, telling Eyewitness News: "The girls were nervous. And, when he turned around, I grabbed him and I threw him to the ground, and it was my intent to hold him down ... I didn't know he had a gun."

A single shot was fired, striking Sambuco, who fell to the floor.

"At that time, the suspect vaulted over the counter and took money that the teller was in the process of putting in a bag, and he vaulted back over the counter and ran out the front door," O'Leary said.

Sambuco, 47, was transported to Waterbury Hospital in stable condition and was released shortly before 3:30 p.m.

"They had him on the bed, the stretcher. He was holding his arm, he was sitting up, he was yelling out of his mouth, mumbling something," said Michael Barbieri, a witness.

Waterbury investigators immediately began searching the immediate area for the lone man, with assistance from Trooper 1.

"A man walked by me quickly. He was walking ... dressed in dark clothing (with a) dark backpack. He looked suspicious," said Mark Lee, a witness.

"I seen four cops run through my yard, guns drawn, hiding behind trees and rocks," Barbieri said. "I figured something was going on at the bank, obviously, a bank robbery."

Police: Crashed Car's Driver Not Suspect

Officers searching for the bank robbery suspect spotted a car near the bank, and the driver fled upon making eye contact with the officer who spotted him, police said.

"About 40 minutes later, in immediate neighborhood of robbery, detectives spotted a man inside a vehicle with tinted windows," O'Leary said.

Waterbury police pursued the car, which eventually got stuck in a snow bank. The driver, identified as Walva Wright, 23, of Waterbury, drove the vehicle out of the snow bank toward an officer, who fired gunshots into the car, striking Wright in the shoulder, O'Leary said.

Officers followed the car to Route 8, where it spun out of control, rolled over and landed on its wheels, O'Leary said. The car was severely damaged in the crash on southbound Route 8 near exit 30, Channel 3 Eyewitness News reporter Len Besthoff reported. State troopers closed the southbound lanes after the incident.

Investigators quickly determined Wright is not the suspect in the bank robbery. Wright was transported to St. Mary's Hospital with injuries that authorities did not consider life-threatening.

"I believe we did an excellent job while trying to find a bank robber in arresting this individual," O'Leary said. "It would have been better if he just stopped the car."

Police arrested Wright on drug charges, criminal attempt at assault on a police officer and other charges not related to the bank robbery. Police said the car was not registered and was not insured.

Portions of the highway remained closed through the evening rush hour.

Schools Take Precautions; Students Dismissed

Some schools in the area locked down shortly after the bank robbery and chase as a precaution. A district official said the public schools lifted the lockdown status at about 1:45 p.m. The public schools affected included Kennedy High School, West Side Middle School, Tinker Elementary School and Brooklyn Elementary School.

Additionally, at least five parochial schools locked down, including Holy Cross High School, Blessed Sacrament School, St. Mary's School, Mount Carmel School and Barnard School.

School administrators said the campuses released students on normal dismissal schedules.

"School today was crazy. ... We were scared that we would get shot." - Jordy Rodriguez, 16 Kennedy High School student

"School today was crazy. Kids were running around, trying to get to class on time. There was lock downs for several hours," said Jordy Rodriguez, 16, a student at Kennedy High School. "We were in one classroom, but we also had teachers guiding us to get to the next class. We were scared that we would get shot."

Laura Landry, a parent of two students at nearby Waterbury schools picked up her children early.

"I don't want him walking home at this time. They haven't caught him yet," she said. "It's so close to the schools. You never know if they're going to come into the school. You don't know."

Wednesday's lockdown was the second lockdown this month for Tinker students, Channel 3 Eyewitness News reporter Erika Arias reported.

The Waterbury school superintendent and principals of two schools told Eyewitness News everything went smoothly during the lockdowns and all kids were safe.

If you have any information regarding these investigations, contact Waterbury police by dialing 203-755-1234.