Hostage-Taker Dead After Gunfire Exchange With Gwinnett SWAT Team

The hostage-taker, who was pronounced deceased Wednesday (April 10) in Suwanee after exchanging gunfire with Gwinnett SWAT officers, apparently was motivated by financial concerns.

Gwinnett Police spokesperson Ed Ritter said Wednesday evening that the person who originally held five Gwinnett firefighters hostage had requested during negotiations that the power and other utilities be turned back on at his home, which was reportedly in foreclosure.

The situation ended about 7:30 p.m. in a subdivision near Walnut Grove Elementary when police made the decision to go into the home at 2440 Walnut Grove Way. Four firefighters were being held there after one was released, police said.

"Officers made contact with the suspect. Gunfire was exchanged between the suspect and the SWAT team. The suspect is deceased," Ritter said.

"We didn't want this to end this way," he said.

A Gwinnett Police officer was wounded in the exchange.

The firefighters suffered "superficial" injuries when police used a "flash bang" technique to distract the captor, Ritter said. They were treated and released Wednesday night at Gwinnett Medical Center in Lawreceville, according to a hospital spokesperson.

The wounded police officer was reported in good condition in the hospital.

An emergency call originally went to Gwinnett Fire officials about 3:45 p.m. Wednesday, when the caller reported chest pains. Once inside the residence, five Gwinnett firefighters then were taken hostage at gunpoint; one was later released.

~ Suwanee Patch