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| US high school gunman 'is dead' | |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| A gunman who took hostages at a high school in the US state of Colorado has died, authorities say. | |
| The AP news agency quoted Lance Clem, a spokesman for the state Department of Public Safety, as saying the gunman was dead. He gave no further details. | |
| He said did not know the condition of two girls who were being held hostage at Platte Canyon High School. | |
| The gunman, who reportedly claimed he was carrying explosives, fired at least two shots before his death. | |
| Staff and pupils were evacuated from the school, in the town of Bailey, after the gunman entered the building. | |
| TV pictures showed a long line of people streaming away towards school buses, and students comforting each other. | |
| 'Rucksack bomb' | 'Rucksack bomb' |
| The gunman initially took as many as six people hostage just before noon before releasing all but two. | |
| Colorado radio journalist Jerry Bell told BBC News 24 that the gunman was holding two girls in a classroom on the second floor. | Colorado radio journalist Jerry Bell told BBC News 24 that the gunman was holding two girls in a classroom on the second floor. |
| The 35-year-old was said to be carrying a bomb in a rucksack, the journalist added. | The 35-year-old was said to be carrying a bomb in a rucksack, the journalist added. |
| A newspaper in Park County, where Bailey is situated, quoted what appeared to be police radio reports. | A newspaper in Park County, where Bailey is situated, quoted what appeared to be police radio reports. |
| One message described the gunman as arriving at the school with a "black squarish-looking gun" and firing a single shot when a teacher refused to do what he asks. | One message described the gunman as arriving at the school with a "black squarish-looking gun" and firing a single shot when a teacher refused to do what he asks. |
| Close to Columbine | Close to Columbine |
| 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 56km (35 miles) south-west of the state capital, Denver. | Bailey lies 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. |
| Are you in the area? You can contact us using the form below: | Are you in the area? You can contact us using the form below: |
| You can send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them (+44) 07725 100 100. Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video | You can send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them (+44) 07725 100 100. Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video |
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