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Reports of ‘gunshots, tear gas’ in standoff with police in Mount Vernon, Washington Suspect detained after 7-hour standoff in Mount Vernon, Washington – police
(about 4 hours 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 has been detained and remains in custody, following a hostage situation in the State of Washington, Sergeant Mark Francis serving in local police forces has tweeted.
King 5 News spoke to a woman who said that her 16-year-old nephew is among those inside the home. 
The suspect shot an officer in the head, and the policeman remains in hospital in a serious condition.
The 44-year-old suspect is believed to have held several people hostage, and was arrested after a seven-hour standoff with police.
King 5 News spoke to a woman who said that her 16-year-old nephew was 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 were 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.
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 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.
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 was evacuated to a nearby church, and some residents were ordered to stay in their homes.