Gunman kills himself after releasing hostages

Valparaiso, Indiana: A gunman looking for someone he believed owed him money shot himself inside an Indiana real estate office several hours after releasing hostages Friday, and he died after being rushed to a hospital, police said.

Two loud bangs were heard Friday afternoon before SWAT team members broke windows and rushed into the Prudential Executive Group Real Estate office in Valparaiso, where police said the gunman had holed up.

Valparaiso Police Chief Michael Brickner said officers determined the gunman had shot himself twice in the head, likely before they entered the building. The man was rushed to a hospital in critical condition, and he died Friday evening, Sgt Michael Grennes said.

The gunman's name hasn't been released.

"He has some history here, but we believe he's from out of state," Brickner said.

Police had received a 911 call about 10am reporting that a man with a gun had entered the brokerage office. Grennes said there was a "brief exchange of gunfire" when officers arrived.

One witness, Randy Baker, said he was shovelling asphalt in an adjacent parking lot when an officer wielding a pistol suddenly ran by and asked if he'd seen or heard anything about a gun. When Baker said he hadn't, the officer approached the Prudential building.

Seconds later, the officer began firing at least half a dozen times in rapid succession, Baker said, adding: "It was like boom, boom, boom, boom."

No hostages reported being shot, though Grennes said one person who was struck in the head during the incident was treated and released from a hospital.