Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, April 5, 1991 TAG: 9104050747
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A/3 EDITION: EVENING
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: SACRAMENTO, CALIF. LENGTH: Medium
Three hostages and three of the four gang members were killed in the burst of gunfire that ensued after deputies blasted the door off The Good Guys electronics store in a local shopping mall, said Sheriff Glen Craig.
The gunmen, who held hostages for 8 1/2 hours on Thursday, had demanded safe passage to Thailand.
One gunman "walked systematically down the line shooting hostages" as the officers opened fire, Craig said. He was among the three killed, he said.
Thirteen hostages and the fourth gunman were wounded.
Craig said police decided to rush the store at 10 p.m. after the gunmen shot and wounded two hostages, including one whose shooting was broadcast live by local television stations.
"We didn't think we had the luxury to wait any longer," he said. "We couldn't sit here all night and let them shoot people one at a time."
The wounded were hospitalized early today. Their conditions were not immediately available, but officers said one hostage suffered critical head wounds and that the surviving gunman was in serious condition.
It was not immediately known how many people escaped unharmed, but authorities said 30 to 35 people were taken hostage, and eight people were freed before the police raid. At least one person was able to flee as the gunmen entered the store.
"I'm very relieved to be out of there," said store employee Matt Dennis, 20.
The eight hostages who had been released earlier included a man, two women and five children.
A ninth hostage, Sean McIntyre of Sacramento, was shot in the leg and allowed to hobble to safety about an hour before the police raid. Television cameras videotaped the scene through the glass storefront; the shooting was broadcast live.
by CNB