Three women, gunman dead after hostage standoff in Yountville town
After an hourlong hostage, three women hostages and a suspect are dead at veterans home in Napa County, California.This is a state-owned facility home.
California Highway Patrol officer, Chris Childs confirmed that the siege began on Friday morning and ended around 6 pm.
When the law enforcement made their way into a room where the hostage were being held, they found four bodies( Three women and a male suspect).
He said, “Shortly before 6 p.m. law enforcement personnel made entry into the room where we felt the hostages were being held, and unfortunately made the discovery of one three deceased females and one deceased male suspect.”
He even added that the three victims were employed at the Pathway Home, a counseling service for veterans who suffer post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
However, it isn’t clear until now if the women had any connection with the gunman.
One of the victims explained that they were having cake and toasting when a gunman barged, while they managed to escape others found dead were caught inside.
Gunman’s identity has not been revealed by the authorities but according to the patrol officer the crime scene was still active and there are bomb-sniffing dogs but no explosive has been found.
There are agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and local law enforcement officials who have responded to the scene.
Gov. Jerry Brown released a statement Friday evening expressing his condolences, along with his wife’s.
“Anne and I are deeply saddened by the horrible violence at the Yountville Veterans Home, which tragically took the lives of three people dedicated to serving our veterans,” he said. “Our hearts go out to their families and loved ones and the entire community of Yountville.”