Man shoots self to death after holding hostages in Chicago bank

Man shoots self to death after holding hostages in Wheaton bank, police say
By James Kimberly Chicago Tribune reporter
7:12 PM CDT, September 5, 2008
A police officer responding to a call of an apparently fake traffic accident on Friday had his gun stolen at knifepoint by a man who then stormed into a downtown Wheaton bank, causing a tense, three-hour hostage situation. The man then shot himself to death.

The Wheaton officer suffered superficial wounds, police said. There were no other reports of injuries.

The man, who has not been identified, held 10 to 12 hostages at the Wheaton Bank & Trust, at 211 S. Wheaton Ave., beginning about 1:30 p.m. Eight to 10 were released as police negotiators talked to the man by phone, said Wheaton Deputy Police Chief Thomas Meloni.

Two hostages still were in the bank when authorities heard a gunshot about 4:15 p.m., causing SWAT team members to rush inside. They found the man dead of a single, self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, police said.
click post title for more