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| Reports of ‘gunshots, tear gas’ in standoff with police in Mount Vernon, Washington | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A gunman is believed to be holding several people hostage in the state of Washington, after shooting an officer in the head. He is now barricaded inside a home which is surrounded by a SWAT team and negotiators. | A gunman is believed to be holding several people hostage in the state of Washington, after shooting an officer in the head. He is now barricaded inside a home which is surrounded by a SWAT team and negotiators. |
| King 5 News spoke to a woman who said that her 16-year-old nephew is among those inside the home. | King 5 News spoke to a woman who said that her 16-year-old nephew is among those inside the home. |
| "I don't know the connection between the hostages or the folks that are with him," Sgt. Keith Leary said during a press conference. | "I don't know the connection between the hostages or the folks that are with him," Sgt. Keith Leary said during a press conference. |
| "We don't know if they are hostages or they are people who he knows who happen to live in the house. We are treating that as a hostage situation," he added. | "We don't know if they are hostages or they are people who he knows who happen to live in the house. We are treating that as a hostage situation," he added. |
| There are reports of around three dozen gunshots being fired from the house, as well as "flash bangs" and the presence of tear gas. | There are reports of around three dozen gunshots being fired from the house, as well as "flash bangs" and the presence of tear gas. |
| An armored SWAT team is at the scene, and an air unit is flying overhead, according to King 5 News. | An armored SWAT team is at the scene, and an air unit is flying overhead, according to King 5 News. |
| Hostage negotiators are reportedly in contact with the suspect, according to KOMO news. | Hostage negotiators are reportedly in contact with the suspect, according to KOMO news. |
| The officer, 61, was shot after responding to a call received around 5:30pm reporting that a man had been shot at a residence in Mount Vernon. The gunman opened fire on the officers when they arrived at the scene. | The officer, 61, was shot after responding to a call received around 5:30pm reporting that a man had been shot at a residence in Mount Vernon. The gunman opened fire on the officers when they arrived at the scene. |
| The wounded officer was rushed to Skagit Valley Hospital and then airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, where he underwent surgery. He is now in serious, but stable, condition. | The wounded officer was rushed to Skagit Valley Hospital and then airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, where he underwent surgery. He is now in serious, but stable, condition. |
| The officer, a 30-year police veteran, was conscious at alert when taken from the scene. | The officer, a 30-year police veteran, was conscious at alert when taken from the scene. |
| “It’s a very dynamic situation,” Washington State Patrol Sergeant Mark Francis said, as quoted by King 5 News. | “It’s a very dynamic situation,” Washington State Patrol Sergeant Mark Francis said, as quoted by King 5 News. |
| The person who was initially shot by the gunman "received a gunshot wound that just grazed him" and was taken to the hospital by a private car, Leary said. | The person who was initially shot by the gunman "received a gunshot wound that just grazed him" and was taken to the hospital by a private car, Leary said. |
| "How he is involved we're not sure yet, with this person, but those are some of the things we're putting together right now," he continued. | "How he is involved we're not sure yet, with this person, but those are some of the things we're putting together right now," he continued. |
| Police say the suspect is a “violent offender and well known to law enforcement,” but that they do not know his motive. | Police say the suspect is a “violent offender and well known to law enforcement,” but that they do not know his motive. |
| A girl by the name of Isabelle, who claims to be the suspect's cousin, spoke to King 5 News about her relative, and urged him to "play your cards right" and "let the youngsters out." | A girl by the name of Isabelle, who claims to be the suspect's cousin, spoke to King 5 News about her relative, and urged him to "play your cards right" and "let the youngsters out." |
| She said the hostages are also family members, and that she has been in touch with them. | She said the hostages are also family members, and that she has been in touch with them. |
| Part of the neighborhood has been evacuated to a nearby church, and some residents have been ordered to stay in their homes. | Part of the neighborhood has been evacuated to a nearby church, and some residents have been ordered to stay in their homes. |
| DETAILS TO FOLLOW | DETAILS TO FOLLOW |