Category: hostage

California Man Wore Armor in Hostage Killing, Report Says

ROSEVILLE, Calif.—The suspect in a Northern California shooting last week was wearing body-armor vest when he took two hostages in a public park, killing one, wounding the other and opening fire at California Highway Patrol officers, authorities said. The CHP officers approached suspect Eric Abril on April 6 near Mahany Park in Roseville, northeast of…


Man Kills Hostage at California Park After Wounding Officer

ROSEVILLE, Calif.—A man fleeing police in Northern California took two hostages at a public park, killing one of them before surrendering, after earlier wounding a California Highway Patrol officer, authorities said. It happened Thursday in Roseville, a city of about 150,000 northeast of Sacramento, in the early afternoon as families played at nearby baseball fields…


Authorities: Suspect Fatally Shot During Rescue of Migrants

HOUSTON—A hostage rescue that left a suspect fatally shot Thursday in Houston began days ago when three migrants were kidnapped from a vehicle in a neighboring county, according to a prosecutor. The three migrants had been traveling in a vehicle on Interstate 10 in the southern part of Waller County on March 18 when they…


German Police Storm Karlsruhe Pharmacy, Arrest Suspected Hostage-Taker

KARLSRUHE, Germany—German police said on Friday it had arrested a male suspect after a special unit stormed a pharmacy in the southwestern city of Karlsruhe where multiple people had been held hostage for hours. A number of explosions were heard when officers in tactical gear entered the pharmacy in the city centre after first arriving…


Papua Rebels Release Videos Showing Kidnapped New Zealand Pilot Alive

JAYAPURA, Indonesia—Separatist rebels in Indonesia’s Papua Province released more photos and videos Friday appearing to show the New Zealand pilot they took hostage last month alive. In a video distributed Friday by rebel spokesperson Sebby Sambom, a man wearing a blue jacket is identified as Philip Mark Mehrtens of Christchurch, a pilot for Indonesian aviation…


Hostages Taken by Anti-Oil Firm Protesters in Colombia Are Freed

BOGOTA—A group of 88 police officers and employees of oil firm Emerald Energy taken hostage in Colombia amid a deadly protest against the company have been freed, Colombian President Gustavo Petro said Friday. On Thursday, a police officer and a civilian were killed during the violent protest in Caqueta province. Rural and indigenous protesters also…


2 Dead, Dozens of Police Held Hostage in Colombia in Protest Against Oil Company

BOGOTA—A police officer and civilian were killed during violent protests in Colombia’s Caqueta Province on Thursday, and 79 officers and nine oilfield workers were taken hostage by members of rural communities, the government said. The violence erupted in part of the San Vicente del Caguan municipality, where members of rural and Indigenous communities blocked access…


Stern Warning to Papua New Guinea Kidnappers After Hostage Released

Papua New Guinea’s prime minister has issued a stern warning to kidnappers to release their remaining hostages after one was freed. Armed men took four people hostage, including a New Zealand national who has been a long-time Australian resident, and are demanding a ransom from the PNG and Australian governments. James Marape urged the gang to…


Stern Warning to Papua New Guinea Kidnappers as One Hostage Released

Papua New Guinea’s prime minister has issued a stern warning to kidnappers to release their remaining hostages after one was freed. Armed men took four people hostage, including a New Zealand national who has been a long-time Australian resident, and are demanding a ransom from the PNG and Australian governments. James Marape urged the gang to…


Australian Academic and Colleagues Taken Hostage in Papua New Guinea

An Australian professor and three colleagues are believed to have been taken hostage in a remote area of Papua New Guinea (PNG). The ABC is reporting on Monday that a group of armed men in the highlands region have taken the four researchers at gunpoint, and it is alleged that a ransom demand has been made…