Washington: A hostage drama in Florida ended Monday with the death of four children at the hands of a gunman, who also took his own life, police said.
The ordeal began Sunday in Orlando when police responded to a report of domestic violence at an apartment and one of the officers was shot. That officer remains in critical condition.
The gunman remained holed up in the apartment overnight and all day Monday with the children, who were aged one, six, 10 and 11.
"A short time ago we made entry into the apartment and found that all four children have been killed by the suspect by apparent gunshot wounds," Orlando police chief John Mina told a news conference just before midnight.
"It appears the suspect took his own life as well," Mina added.
Police stayed in contact with the gunman throughout the day.
The gunman's phone had sporadic service, and police tried to offer him one of their phones.
In doing so, officers saw the body of one child and decided to try to rescue the others. A big boom was heard at the complex at about 9:00 pm, the Orlando Sentinel newspaper reported.
It said the gunman has been identified as Gary Lindsey, 35, and that he was a felon on probation for arson and other offenses.
Two of the children were believed to be his and other two were of the woman who reported Lindsey for hitting her, the paper said.
That woman called police after fleeing the apartment Sunday night.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
The ordeal began Sunday in Orlando when police responded to a report of domestic violence at an apartment and one of the officers was shot. That officer remains in critical condition.
The gunman remained holed up in the apartment overnight and all day Monday with the children, who were aged one, six, 10 and 11.
"It appears the suspect took his own life as well," Mina added.
Advertisement
The gunman's phone had sporadic service, and police tried to offer him one of their phones.
Advertisement
It said the gunman has been identified as Gary Lindsey, 35, and that he was a felon on probation for arson and other offenses.
Advertisement
That woman called police after fleeing the apartment Sunday night.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
US Foiled Russian Plot To Assassinate Ukraine's German Arms Supplier: Report "Was A Big Shock": India's U-19 World Cup Winning Captain Opens Up On USA Rejection Ex-India Star, Snubbed By USA For T20 World Cup, Takes Major League Cricket 2024 By Storm "Relocate To Vizag": Andhra Minister To IT Firms Amid Karnataka Quota Row UP BJP Rejig Soon? State Chief Offers To Quit Over Poll Drubbing: Sources "I Divorce You... Your Ex-Wife": Dubai Princess Dumps Husband In Insta Post Madras High Court's Big Rebuke To Probe Agency In Illegal Sand Mining Row 12 Maoists Killed In 6-Hour Encounter In Maharashtra's Gadchiroli 8 Indians Among 9 Crew Rescued After Oil Tanker Capsizes Off Oman Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.