PINELLAS PARK, Fla. — A gunman is dead following a standoff with police and SWAT team members at a Pinellas Park apartment building.
According to Pinellas Park police, Lee Thrall, 37, man was pronounced dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Officers responded just after 10 a.m. to the area of 45th Street N. and 76th Avenue N. after a 911 caller hung up on dispatchers, according to a Pinellas Park Police Department news release. Nearby streets were closed down due to the ongoing investigation, which police called a "hostage situation."
Upon arrival, officers were met with one shot fired from inside of the residence striking a car outside. Police say, officers quickly worked to evacuate the apartment's other units, while attempting to meet with Thrall.
Pinellas Park PD said there were three hostages inside of the apartment, two young girls and a woman. Around noon, the two girls were released, police said in a press release.
Officers continued negotiations with the barricaded man inside until he released the woman at around 3:19 p.m. All three hostages were uninjured during the standoff.
Negotiations with Thrall would continue until just after 4 p.m. when officers approached the apartment and heard 'multiple' gunshots ring out from inside. Officers entered and found the barricaded man dead.
