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Gunman kills hostage at Nasa base Gunman kills hostage at Nasa base
(30 minutes later)
A gunman has killed a hostage and himself during a stand-off at Nasa's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, police say. A gunman has killed a hostage and himself during a stand-off at Nasa's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.
Capt Dwayne Ready said a second hostage was found alive in the same building, tied up with tape. Police, who had surrounded the scene and entered when they heard a gunshot, also found a second hostage, a woman, who was alive but tied up with tape.
Police were called to the scene at about 1340 (1840 GMT) after a gunman was reported and two shots heard. Police Capt Dwayne Ready said officers were called to the scene at about 1340 (1840 GMT) after a man was seen with a gun and two shots heard.
Capt Ready said another shot was heard as police were making contact with the suspect, a white male aged 50-60. The gunman was not identified but was reported to be an employee at the site.
"As our Swat team members made entry," Capt Ready told reporters, "they did indeed determine that the suspect shot himself one time to the head. He was described as a white male aged between 50 and 60.
"He appears to be deceased at this time. Also, on the same floor, there was one other hostage that was shot and another hostage that was unharmed and being looked at by our paramedics." Two found dead
The survivor was female, while the dead hostage was male, he said. Capt Ready said police were making contact with the suspect when they heard a shot.
"Believing that the suspect may have shot himself the decision was made to make entry," he said.
"As our Swat team members made entry they did indeed determine that the suspect shot himself one time to the head. He appears to be deceased at this time.
"Also, on the same floor there was one other hostage that was shot - we believe that may have occurred in the early minutes of this whole ordeal - and another hostage that was unharmed."
The survivor was female while the dead hostage was male, he said.
Police could not confirm the identity of either the suspect or the hostages.Police could not confirm the identity of either the suspect or the hostages.
School securedSchool secured
A Nasa contractor, Jacobs Engineering, earlier told the BBC that one of its employees was involved in the incident.A Nasa contractor, Jacobs Engineering, earlier told the BBC that one of its employees was involved in the incident.
After the gunman was reported, Building 44, housing communications equipment and engineering offices, was evacuated and staff across the sprawling complex were told to remain inside their buildings.After the gunman was reported, Building 44, housing communications equipment and engineering offices, was evacuated and staff across the sprawling complex were told to remain inside their buildings.
The Houston police department told the BBC they sent a helicopter, a canine unit and a special weapons team to the space centre.The Houston police department told the BBC they sent a helicopter, a canine unit and a special weapons team to the space centre.
Negotiators were also on the scene and a bomb squad was sent as a standard precaution.Negotiators were also on the scene and a bomb squad was sent as a standard precaution.
The Johnson Space Center contains Nasa's mission control which oversees the agency's space flights.The Johnson Space Center contains Nasa's mission control which oversees the agency's space flights.
An intermediate school near the building was also secured for several hours.An intermediate school near the building was also secured for several hours.
The stand-off came less than a week after a gunman killed 32 students and teaching staff at Virginia Tech university before killing himself.The stand-off came less than a week after a gunman killed 32 students and teaching staff at Virginia Tech university before killing himself.
The BBC's Adam Brookes in Washington says there has been a rash of security alerts across the US, which is also marking the eighth anniversary of the Columbine school massacre in which 15 people died.The BBC's Adam Brookes in Washington says there has been a rash of security alerts across the US, which is also marking the eighth anniversary of the Columbine school massacre in which 15 people died.
Were you in the area at the time of the incident? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below. If you have any pictures or video you can send them to yourpics@bbc.co.uk.Were you in the area at the time of the incident? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below. If you have any pictures or video you can send them to yourpics@bbc.co.uk.
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