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US-CRIME-HOSTAGES
Four children killed in US hostage drama
WASHINGTON, June 12, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – 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.
BSS/AFP/MR/ 1133 hrs