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Gun siege at Colorado high school Siege at US high school 'is over'
(40 minutes later)
Staff and pupils have been evacuated from a high school in the US state of Colorado, where a gunman is believed to be holding two female students hostage. The siege at a high school in the US state of Colorado, where a lone gunman was holding two female students hostage, has reportedly ended.
Snipers and a bomb squad have been sent to Platte Canyon High School, in the town of Bailey. Unconfirmed reports say the gunman has died and one of his hostages has been injured.
Witnesses said they heard at least two shots being fired, but the hostages are said to be unharmed. The gunman was said to have claimed he was carrying explosives.
Talks between police and the gunman, who claims to have explosives, are said to be under way. Staff and pupils were evacuated from Platte Canyon High School, in the town of Bailey, after the gunman entered the building and took the hostages.
TV pictures show a long line of people streaming away towards school buses. TV pictures have showed a long line of people streaming away towards school buses, and students comforting each other.
'Ruckack bomb' 'Rucksack bomb'
According to reports, the gunman initially took as many as six people hostage just before noon before releasing all but two.According to reports, the gunman initially took as many as six people hostage just before noon before releasing all but two.
"An adult is holding the hostages, he claims to have explosives," said Lance Clem, spokesman for the Colorado state troopers, was quoted as saying by Reuters news agency.
Colorado radio journalist Jerry Bell told BBC News 24 that the gunman was holding two girls in a classroom on the second floor.Colorado radio journalist Jerry Bell told BBC News 24 that the gunman was holding two girls in a classroom on the second floor.
The 35-year-old is said to be carrying a bomb in a rucksack, the journalist added. The 35-year-old was said to be carrying a bomb in a rucksack, the journalist added.
A newspaper in Park County, where Bailey is situated, has been quoting what appear to be police radio reports. A newspaper in Park County, where Bailey is situated, quoted what appeared to be police radio reports.
One message describes the gunman as arriving at the school with a "black squarish-looking gun" and firing a single shot when a teacher refuses to do what he asks. One message described the gunman as arriving at the school with a "black squarish-looking gun" and firing a single shot when a teacher refused to do what he asks.
As of 1150 local time (1750 GMT), the gunman was holding students in a room, The Flume adds.
Close to ColumbineClose to Columbine
Platte Canyon High and neighbouring Fitzsimmons Middle School have about 800 students enrolled between them.Platte Canyon High and neighbouring Fitzsimmons Middle School have about 800 students enrolled between them.
"The two schools have been in lockdown," an official in the Park County Sheriff's office told AFP news agency."The two schools have been in lockdown," an official in the Park County Sheriff's office told AFP news agency.
Bailey lies 56km (35 miles) south-west of the state capital, Denver.Bailey lies 56km (35 miles) south-west of the state capital, Denver.
Police have been called in from neighbouring Jefferson County where in 1999, two students killed 13 people at Columbine High School before taking their own lives.Police have been called in from neighbouring Jefferson County where in 1999, two students killed 13 people at Columbine High School before taking their own lives.
However, Jefferson County Sheriff's Department spokeswoman Jacki Kelley said the situation at Platte Canyon High was "quite different".
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