Georgia hostage standoff ends with gunman shot dead and firefighters unhurt
Man demanded during hours-long standoff in Atlanta that his power and cable be turned back on, according to authorities
Associated Press
Gwinnett county police officers at the scene of the standoff. Photograph: Reuters
Police have shot dead a gunman who held four firefighters hostage for hours in a suburban home in Atlanta, Georgia. The hostages only sustained slight injuries, authorities said.
The gunman, who has not been identified, had demanded that his power and cable be turned back on, said Gwinnett county police corporal Edwin Ritter on Wednesday night. According to public records, the home is in foreclosure.
"It's an unfortunate circumstance. We did not want this to end this way," Ritter said. "But with the decisions this guy was making, this was his demise."
Five firefighters had responded on Wednesday afternoon to what seemed like a routine medical call. The gunman then released one firefighter to move a fire truck.
Police used an explosion to distract the gunman and rush into the home. One officer was shot in the hand or arm but should be fine, Ritter said.
The firefighters mainly suffered cuts and bruises in the explosion, said fire department captain Tommy Rutledge.
Police had surrounded the home, and a hostage negotiator had been in contact with the suspect.
Georgia hostage standoff ends with gunman shot dead and firefighters unhurt | World news | guardian.co.uk
Good grief, 9-1-1 is now being used as 'dial a hostage'? How is that going to effect first responder procedures do you think?
Man demanded during hours-long standoff in Atlanta that his power and cable be turned back on, according to authorities
Associated Press
- guardian.co.uk, Thursday 11 April 2013 07.50 BST
Police have shot dead a gunman who held four firefighters hostage for hours in a suburban home in Atlanta, Georgia. The hostages only sustained slight injuries, authorities said.
The gunman, who has not been identified, had demanded that his power and cable be turned back on, said Gwinnett county police corporal Edwin Ritter on Wednesday night. According to public records, the home is in foreclosure.
"It's an unfortunate circumstance. We did not want this to end this way," Ritter said. "But with the decisions this guy was making, this was his demise."
Five firefighters had responded on Wednesday afternoon to what seemed like a routine medical call. The gunman then released one firefighter to move a fire truck.
Police used an explosion to distract the gunman and rush into the home. One officer was shot in the hand or arm but should be fine, Ritter said.
The firefighters mainly suffered cuts and bruises in the explosion, said fire department captain Tommy Rutledge.
Police had surrounded the home, and a hostage negotiator had been in contact with the suspect.
Georgia hostage standoff ends with gunman shot dead and firefighters unhurt | World news | guardian.co.uk
Good grief, 9-1-1 is now being used as 'dial a hostage'? How is that going to effect first responder procedures do you think?
