It’s finally over.
In case you haven’t heard, an undisclosed number of people were taken hostage in Sydney, Australia’s Lindt Chocolat Cafe on Monday morning around 9:45 a.m.
Six hours into the siege, five hostages managed to escape. Hours later, the New South Wales police announced the end of the siege at 02:44 a.m. on Tuesday after tactical units stormed the building.
Sources have been reporting several injuries and possible deaths. Police have identified the gunman as Man Haron Monis, a 50-year-old Muslim cleric who was granted political asylum in Australia after fleeing his country in 1996.
Monis was reportedly shot and killed at the scene; others may also be dead but this has not yet been confirmed. Several have been injured.
Officials are saying Monis acted alone, and was not part of a larger terrorist plot.
Updates to follow.
[Image via Getty Images.]