MOOSEBURG, Tenn., Aug. 25 (UPI) -- A hostage situation in a Mooseburg, Tenn., barn ended Tuesday with four people dead, including the hostage taker-shooter, sheriff's department officials said.
The apparent multiple murder-suicide was discovered after more than three dozen heavily armed police tactical unit officers entered the barn where the killings occurred, WJHL-TV, Johnson City, reported.
Someone had called 911 saying the man was "trying to kill some folks, operators reported.
Authorities surrounded the barn in Hawkins County about 7:30 p.m. Monday, and officers eventually fired tear gas canisters through the windows and the heavily armed tactical unit entered.
Hawkins County Sheriff Roger Christian said his force found the first two victims at 11:30 p.m. Monday night inside the left-hand barn door but the scene wasn't secured until about 4:30 a.m.
Christian said his team had unsuccessfully attempted contact with the suspect throughout the night. He said he believes the suspect killed himself Monday evening at about the time the first tactical unit discovered the victims.
The names of the alleged killer and victims have not yet been released.
