ST. LOUIS — An hours-long hostage situation at a downtown St. Louis hotel room came to an end late Wednesday afternoon.
Two children were released from a hostage situation at a downtown St. Louis hotel room, but a woman remained held against her will into the afternoon. St. Louis police said the children and the man knew each other but did not specify their relationship.
Shortly before 5 p.m., a 5 On Your Side crew at the scene witnessed the 43-year-old man being brought out on a stretcher and loaded into an ambulance. Police confirmed that the situation was no longer active.
Police said the woman was released at 3:40 p.m. and the man surrendered just before 4:30 p.m. The man had no injuries and was transported to a local hospital for evaluation.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department said the man, who was possibly armed with a gun, had been locked inside a hotel room with a woman and children at the Drury Plaza Hotel just west of the Gateway Arch.
During Wednesday's noon briefing, police said the initial call came in at about 5:15 a.m. from a boy locked inside the bathroom with his brother. The young boy said the man was fighting with their mother and that he was armed with a weapon.
The officers were able to get the children out, police said, but the man remained barricaded in the room with their mother.
A police source said the children were 6 and 8 years old.
At about 10 a.m. police announced the children had been released but the woman remained inside the hotel room. Police said negotiations were ongoing at the time of the message and nearby guests had been evacuated.
A hotel employee told 5 On Your Side the incident was taking place on the second floor.
Police said SWAT and hostage negotiation officers were at the scene. Dozens of police vehicles closed the roads in the area.
5 On Your Side has learned the identity of the suspect through a law enforcement source. 5 On Your Side is not naming the suspect because he has not been charged with a crime.
Court records show the man has a history of violence, including a carjacking in St. Louis County a few years ago.
According to the law enforcement source, police called his relatives to help with the negotiations.
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Resources for crime victims
If you have been a victim of a crime or know someone who has been, 5 On Your Side has compiled a list of resources.
The Crime Victim Center of St. Louis has multiple programs to support victims of crime. Crime Victim Center’s programs range from direct services to crime victims as well as “creating awareness and change within the systems they encounter.”
Life Outside of Violence "helps those harmed by stabbing, gunshot or assault receive the treatment, support and resources they need to find alternatives to end the cycle of violence."
The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis has the Neighborhood Healing Network, which serves people who have experienced crime, violence or been the victim of an incident that caused trauma.