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Gun siege at Colorado high school Gun siege at Colorado high school
(10 minutes later)
Staff and pupils have been evacuated from a high school in the US state of Colorado, where a gunman is believed to be holding two girls hostage.Staff and pupils have been evacuated from a high school in the US state of Colorado, where a gunman is believed to be holding two girls hostage.
A Swat team and bomb squad have been sent to Platte Canyon High School, in the town of Bailey.A Swat team and bomb squad have been sent to Platte Canyon High School, in the town of Bailey.
Witnesses said they heard shots being fired, but there are as yet no reports of casualties. Witnesses said they heard at least two shots being fired, but there are no reports of casualties and the hostages are said to be unharmed.
Negotiations between police officers and the gunman are said to be under way. Talks between police and the gunman are said to be under way.
TV pictures show a long line of people streaming away towards school buses.TV pictures show a long line of people streaming away towards school buses.
Snipers in positionSnipers in position
According to reports, the gunman initially took as many as six people hostage before releasing all but two.According to reports, the gunman initially took as many as six people hostage before releasing all but two.
Snipers are moving into position around the site. The bomb squad was apparently called out after reports of a device inside the school.Snipers are moving into position around the site. The bomb squad was apparently called out after reports of a device inside the school.
"We have some information that several shots have been fired," sheriff's spokeswoman Jacki Kelley said. "An adult is holding the hostages, he claims to have explosives," said Lance Clem, spokesman for the Colorado state troopers, was quoted as saying by Reuters news agency.
Colorado State Patrol trooper Eric Wynn told BBC News 24: "Well, at this time there are some negotiations going on, there is some remaining hostages. Colorado radio journalist Jerry Bell told BBC News 24 that the gunman was holding two girls in a classroom on the second floor.
"It is an adult gunman... there were shots fired, this happened in the afternoon." The 35-year-old is said to be carrying a bomb in a rucksack, the journalist added.
Platte Canyon High and neighbouring Fitzsimmons Middle School have about 800 students enrolled between them.Platte Canyon High and neighbouring Fitzsimmons Middle School have about 800 students enrolled between them.
"The two schools have been in lockdown," an official in the Park County Sheriff's office told AFP news agency."The two schools have been in lockdown," an official in the Park County Sheriff's office told AFP news agency.
Bailey lies in Park County, 56km (35 miles) south-west of the state capital, Denver.Bailey lies in Park County, 56km (35 miles) south-west of the state capital, Denver.
Police have been called in from neighbouring Jefferson County where in 1999, two students killed 13 people at Columbine High School before taking their own lives.Police have been called in from neighbouring Jefferson County where in 1999, two students killed 13 people at Columbine High School before taking their own lives.
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