United States: A man armed with a gun and two bags with unknown contents takes hostages
September 21, 2012
Emergency crews, including a police SWAT team and special weapons and tactics officers, responded Friday morning to a hostage situation on the 16th floor of Three Gateway Center in downtown Pittsburgh.
Police said the man walked into the office building around 8:20 a.m. and claimed to have a gun and a bomb.
He took one person hostage in the office of CW Breitsman Associates, LLC, a firm that helps administer insurance, retirement and pension plans.
“We are negotiating with that person right now,” said Pittsburgh police Chief Nate Harper. “No one has been hurt at this time. There have been no shots fired at this time. The individual walked in to the investment office and started asking questions.”
It is not clear if the suspect, who police said is in his 20s, is an employee. Police said he was a former member of the military and has a criminal background.