Suwanee Hostage Taker's Family Releases Statement

The family of the man slain Wednesday in Suwanee by a Gwinnett Police SWAT officer has issued a statement.

Released Friday evening through Gwinnett Police, the statement read:

“On behalf of the family of Lauren Brown:

The family would like to express its appreciation to the Gwinnett County Police and Fire Department for all they did to bring this situation to resolution and for their support of our family.  We are very grateful that no one else was killed during the standoff.

This is the only statement that we will be issuing to the media. 

We ask that you please respect our desire for privacy so that we can process the events and begin the healing process.”

Brown, 55, was shot dead after a standoff with SWAT officers; he had held several Gwinnett firefighters hostage for about four hours.

The incident at Brown's residence at 2440 Walnut Grove Way in unincorporated Suwanee began about 3:40 p.m. Wednesday. Brown called 911, complaining of chest pains. When responders arrived, Brown produced a handgun and held the emergency officials hostage.

Gwinnett Police officials feel that Brown planned the hostage ordeal because he knew that firefighters would arrive unarmed.

~ Suwanee Patch