Colorado Standoff: Child Hostage Rescued, Captor Shot Dead

A Colorado standoff ended peacefully today after a boy was kidnapped and taken hostage. The hostage, aged just 13, went through an 18 hour ordeal at the hands of his captor in a residential neighborhood just north of Denver.

The suspect, who has not been named yet by authorities, was shot fatally after he went to his front door to collect some items left there for him by police negotiators. A photograph shows a SWAT team officer carrying the child away from the scene in a bear hug.

Chief Don Wick from the Arvada Police Department said that the Colorado standoff began after police responded to a call about a dispute between between a man and a woman. At around 5:30 pm on Monday, the man allegedly left the home and broke into a nearby home, kidnapping the boy who was home alone there and holding him hostage.

The boy’s mother and brother arrived back to their home to find the scene unfolding before them and were informed that the minor was being held hostage in the house.

The suspect took full advantage of the media and the police, who knew he was watching television, were sure to release only a few details as the nearly full-day standoff was taking place.

The police aren’t sure whether or not the suspect was a parolee even though during the Colorado standoff, the Colorado Department of Corrections said they believed he was.

It remains to be seen whether the suspect was on parole and what caused him to flee the house he was at and break into another house taking a young boy hostage. The police are carrying out a full investigation into the incident and will be looking to question the woman who was involved in the original argument.

[Image Via CBS News]