Four Dead After Hostage Situation In Aurora, CO

Three bodies were discovered inside a town home where there was an ongoing hostage situation this morning in Aurora.

Windows shot out by SWAT team during the standoff.

Via: @ninasparano

According to 9 News, a man barricaded inside a town home fired shots early this morning. They believe he may have 3-4 hostages inside the home.

Neighbors have been evacuated and police have been in touch with the man inside intermittently. The NY Daily News reports that as many as 40 officers, including SWAT and hostage negotiators, are on the scene.

Melissa Blasius, a reporter with 9 News who is on the scene, tweeted at 10:52 AM that shots were fired inside the home. One minute later, she said that she saw a white puff come up fromthe townhouse and smelled tear gas.

Aurora was the site of the mass shooting at a screening of “The Dark Knight Rises” on July 20. A hearing where prosecutors will outline their case against Holmes, the man accused of killing 12 and wounding 70 in the theater, is set to begin on Monday.

Update, 11:35 AM: Police have confirmed with 9 News that four people are dead, including the gunman who was shot by police. One person was able to escape and alerted the authorities this morning. Melissa Blasius reported that the gunman shot at officers and refused to come out even when tear gassed.