Breaking: Hostage Situation On Batchelder and Ave Z

According to early reports, an emotionally disturbed person barricaded himself and his parents in an apartment building at 3021 Avenue Z.

The incident occurred some time between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. According to a reader who lives in the building, who provided information to us via Facebook status updates, a mentally unstable man on the fourth floor took his parents hostage. Witnesses, also through Facebook, said the police closed off Avenue Z between Ford Street and Batchelder Street, and there were at least three large police trucks and several other emergency vehicles.

The resident that provided information said police rescued the parents, who went unharmed. She didn’t know about the culprit, who she believes had stopped taking his medication. She also said a similar incident happened in the building four years ago, but it’s unclear if it was the same person.

By 5:30 p.m., police and emergency personnel had left the scene.

This is a breaking report. We will update as additional information becomes available.