Gunman holds unknown number of hostages in Indiana

This transcript is automatically generated

And this is Fox News alert we're continuing to follow this hostage situation as it is unfolding in Indiana Trace Gallagher is tracking things live in -- new information.

And Los Angeles -- tell us Trace.

Valparaiso Indiana about 54 miles outside of Chicago to kind of recap for our -- -- you're looking in the building right there this is a prudential real estate office we've been seeing some activity outside the building -- facts and be able kind of walking around the perimeter and we just saw a short time -- -- van pull up as they widen out you'll see this is really kind of all hands on -- scenario we've got the sheriff's office there.

The police department.

The FBI the state police the swat teams -- -- the surrounding buildings there is a hostage situation inside this real estate office.

There are unconfirmed reports that gunshots were fired three gunshots is what one witness said and we do not know the number of hostages it could be anywhere from two to fifteen a -- at a neighboring business believes that fifteen people.

Work inside this office we mentioned earlier there was some word this might be a domestic situation.

We just called the public information officer he's knocking that down saying that he does not believe this is investigated to the swat teams -- -- -- their positions right there they just pulled this band up.

About three and a half or four minutes ago.

The shot got to keeps going in and out because they're 54 miles outside of Chicago and their satellite dish you see the cops gonna get in position right there.

They're satellite dish is 55 miles away -- the helicopters kind of maneuvering to get the best shot.

This is back lives Goddard this tape.

What -- were a movie -- this is tape again but you can see kind of the police moving in a different positions right Nash and they know who this guy is inside.

With the gun as were back to live pictures but they're not releasing his name.

They're trying to get some kind of a conversation going with him so they can negotiate.

As you see these guys kind of maneuver outside to get up on on better you know vantage points and they can get a look inside this office a real estate office.

A hostage situation still unknown the number of hostages at this point yet.

-- -- it sounds like buyout wire reports looking at and geographical region there around where this is playing out that there are three different schools nearby an elementary school actually two elementary schools and a middle school.

All of them on lockdown now as this entire neighborhood is kind of grinding to a -- you mentioned that there were some reports.

That they are shooting down about the possibility of -- and that's stake.

Argument on there are witnesses who have reportedly told media outlets that was -- -- view of what happened that this gunman did get into an argument there with a girlfriend.

It sounds like you may have updated information from the police that calls that into question and again as you mentioned police say they know -- the gunmen as they do know his name.

But not releasing it right now.

And it makes it more dangerous for the people who are inside this building if it's not a domestic violence issue mean this guy went in there with the beef.

With his girlfriend.

You know history will show.

That it tends to be less of a dangerous situation for the remaining hostages inside the building.

If this guys going in there with other intent which we do not know at this point in time and historically shows it is more dangerous for those who were inside the building.

We definitely know what police have confirmed that whoever is inside their holding these people.

Is armed.

You can see from the police response to swat teams on top of the building the state police surrounding it.

There was a report earlier that the FBI was trying to go inside the building or had gotten inside the building that right now is totally unconfirmed.

They appear to be setting up for the long run here you got the bands kind of it's around there and you're mentioning that the three schools are on lock down the neighboring businesses.

All the people in those businesses have also been told not to come outside.

And the police on their web -- are now putting out a statement for anybody who lives in this area.

Not to get close they had shut down the several blocks surrounding this town in Valparaiso which again is about fifty miles.

Outside of Chicago as you see police kind of maneuvering into position here is kind of fascinating to watch what's unclear at this point in time is.

If there's been any dialogue at all with this gunman if they know he is they let him know how to get in contact with him and that right now is in.

Question yes and -- just as you were speaking their something has come across and this is from the Associated Press -- from the wires their reporting that the police sergeant there.

That they've had contact with now says that officers have make contact with the gunmen.

They do not know if anyone is injured in there.

They also police are not -- at the gunman has made any specific demands that this report again just come passing from the Associated Press.

Is saying that they have been able to make contact with -- minutes we mentioned numerous times and you pointed out they do know who this individual is and they do know his name.

And maybe -- very soon we'll figure out exactly what he wants a working intended for the situation ever play out this way.

At all but again we're just finding out that according -- AP.

There has been some contacts now between police and the the suspect in this case but no word yet if anyone's been -- And it's interesting to to -- -- and that if there were shots fired inside we haven't seen any ambulances pull up so there's a good sign.

In this so far it is the fact.

That we have not get me reports of people being wounded inside and we have seen no ambulances pull up my apologies by the way it's pronounced -- Peru raise though.

Indiana.

Again outside of Chicago from our fox affiliate WFLD of the aerial shot there.

But again the number of hostages has not been confirmed when we get the number we will chime -- engine right Trace excellent work thank you so much.

Watch Live

Gunman holds unknown number of hostages in Indiana

Details

Clips

Latest US

Chasing down a mile-wide monster tornado

Oklahoma grieving and bracing for rising death toll

Okla. residents in shock, try to pick up pieces

Okla. resident: I lost everything

Search and rescue effort will continue through the night

Emergency crews try to recover children from school

Storm chaser says tornado is 'above average'

Monstrous tornado barrels through Oklahoma City

Search for survivors continues after killer Okla. tornado

Reporter: Woman, man and infant recovered dead

Reporter: People digging through rubble to find victims

Okla. storm chaser: Hospitals 'overflowing' with the injured

Transcript

Recommended