The 'survivalist killer' who allegedly gunned down a bus driver before taking a boy hostage in an underground bunker is now dead as the dramatic ordeal has ended after seven days.
The five-year-old boy hostage, known only as Ethan, was taken away from the scene and is believed to be in fine condition.
Multiple news outlets have reported that the gunman, 65-year-old Jimmy Lee Dykes, is deceased, but the cause of his death was not immediately known.
Loud bangs were reportedly heard in the area before Dykes' death.
An ambulance that had been parked near the scene could be seen driving away.
However, it was not clear if anyone was inside, and the vehicle did not have its sirens or emergency lights on.
A news conference will be held later this afternoon in Midland City.
Dykes has been holed up in the six by eight foot bunker since Tuesday, when he allegedly got on a school bus and shot and killed driver Charles Poland before snatching Ethan and taking him to the hideaway about four feet underground.
Ethan is going to be six years old on Wednesday.
Dykes, a retired Alabama trucker, is known in Midland City for being a violent and paranoid man.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2273494/Alabama-hostage-standoff-Gunman-dead-hostage-alive-ordeal-ends.html#ixzz2JyHli4oW
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To be kidnapped and have your life in the hands of a madman for nearly a week is an unimaginably horrible experience for anyone, especially a five year old.
Therefore, I am EXTREMELY grateful that Ethan was not harmed and released successfully within a week.
In addition, I am glad that the gunman, who was known as a public menace, won't be bothering anyone anymore.
I am so sorry to hear that Charles Poland, the heroic bus driver who tried to protect his kid passengers from the gunman, was killed by the gunman. He truly is a hero, and he died a hero.
The Force was with this child and this Alabama community.
