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Police in Alabama hostage standoff for six-year-old boy | Police in Alabama hostage standoff for six-year-old boy |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Police in the state of Alabama have surrounded a man who has taken a six-year-old boy hostage, after boarding his school bus and killing the driver. | Police in the state of Alabama have surrounded a man who has taken a six-year-old boy hostage, after boarding his school bus and killing the driver. |
The gunman, named by neighbours as Jimmy Lee Dykes, 65, was holding the youngster at his remote home, police said. | The gunman, named by neighbours as Jimmy Lee Dykes, 65, was holding the youngster at his remote home, police said. |
The suspect, a retired lorry driver, is not believed to be related to the boy. | The suspect, a retired lorry driver, is not believed to be related to the boy. |
The incident began in Midland City on Tuesday afternoon when the bus driver refused to hand over the child. | The incident began in Midland City on Tuesday afternoon when the bus driver refused to hand over the child. |
Mr Dykes shot the driver and abducted the youngster, authorities say. | Mr Dykes shot the driver and abducted the youngster, authorities say. |
Suspect 'menaced neighbours' | Suspect 'menaced neighbours' |
According to witnesses, the attack began when the school bus stopped to let off two children. | According to witnesses, the attack began when the school bus stopped to let off two children. |
Mr Dykes grabbed the door so it could not close and came on board, demanding two boys aged six and eight. | Mr Dykes grabbed the door so it could not close and came on board, demanding two boys aged six and eight. |
When the 66-year-old driver, Charles Albert Poland, blocked the bus aisle with his arm, Mr Dykes fired four shots, killing him. | When the 66-year-old driver, Charles Albert Poland, blocked the bus aisle with his arm, Mr Dykes fired four shots, killing him. |
Church Pastor Michael Senn, who comforted the children after the incident, was quoted by AP news agency as saying: "As far as we know there is no relation at all. He just wanted a child for a hostage situation." | Church Pastor Michael Senn, who comforted the children after the incident, was quoted by AP news agency as saying: "As far as we know there is no relation at all. He just wanted a child for a hostage situation." |
County Coroner Woodrow Hilboldt said Mr Dykes was believed to be hiding in something similar to a tornado bunker. | County Coroner Woodrow Hilboldt said Mr Dykes was believed to be hiding in something similar to a tornado bunker. |
The bunker had food and electricity, and the boy was watching television, said law enforcement officials. | The bunker had food and electricity, and the boy was watching television, said law enforcement officials. |
The authorities lowered medicine at one point into the bunker for the boy, with the kidnapper's agreement. | The authorities lowered medicine at one point into the bunker for the boy, with the kidnapper's agreement. |
It was not clear if the suspect had any demands. | |
Nearby houses were evacuated when police discovered what they believed to be a bomb on his property. | Nearby houses were evacuated when police discovered what they believed to be a bomb on his property. |
According to court records, Mr Dykes was due to appear in court on Wednesday for menacing neighbours as they drove past his house some weeks ago. | According to court records, Mr Dykes was due to appear in court on Wednesday for menacing neighbours as they drove past his house some weeks ago. |