Gunman Killed After 4-Hour Hostage Crisis In Georgia

[News_Editor]

<p>SUWANEE, GEORGIA (BNO NEWS) -- A Georgia man who had taken four firefighters hostage, was shot and killed by a SWAT team, ending the ordeal on Wednesday evening, local authorities said.

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<p>The four-hour hostage crisis ended at around 7:30 p.m. local time at a house on Walnut Grove Way in Suwanee, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta, when SWAT personnel killed the gunman, Gwinnet County police spokesperson, Ed Ritter, told local media.

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<p>The incident began when the gunman called emergency lines and requested medical help, reportedly faking a heart attack at around 3 p.m. local time. Both firefighters trained as paramedics and an ambulance responded to the call.

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<p>Upon their arrival, five firefighters were quickly taken hostage. However, one was later let free in order to move the fire truck.

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<p>SWAT teams decided to move in after determining that the lives of the firefighters were in danger. With the use of a flash grenade, the gunman was distracted and SWAT teams quickly stormed the house. Gunfire was exchanged before it was confirmed that the gunman had been killed.

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<p>All hostages survived, although they suffered non life-threatening wounds from the explosion caused by the flash grenade, Ritter explained. In addition, one firefighter was wounded from a gunshot, but details were not immediately known. He is expected to survive.

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<p>The exact reason of the incident is uncertain, but the gunman was reportedly suffering from financial problems, as the house involved in the incident was foreclosed late last year.

</p> <p> (Copyright 2013 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved. Info: [email protected].) </p>

[NeverSure]

"Suicide by cop."