Suwanee SWAT Standoff: Firefighters Safe, Captor Dead

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 that his power and other utilities be turned back on during negotations.

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 then 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.

A Gwinnett Medical spokesperson said late Wednesday that the firefighters were treated in emergency, and left in good condition. The police officer is in good condition.  The ID of the hostage-taker still has not been released.

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 to return to their families Wednesday night.

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

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; one was later released.

-- This article originally posted on Suwanee Patch.