3.05.2012

gunman injured in bank hostage shootout

Last week in Orange County, police critically wounded a gunman who held a woman hostage for nearly four hours during a standoff at a bank: Police identify gunman who took hostage in Buena Park.

The gunman was identified as 55-year-old Myung Jae Kim, who apparently demanded $250,000 during the standoff. According to police, he targeted Michelle Kwon, manager of Saehan Bank in Buena Park, with whom he had a previous business transaction.

After nearly four hours of negotiating with authorities, Kim was taken out by SWAT officers who shot him through the bank's glass doors. Fortunately, Kwon was unharmed:
Kim reportedly entered Buena Park's Saehan Bank late Thursday morning, brandishing a weapon pointed to the ground. He ordered all of the employees and six customers out of the bank, but had Kwon stay behind, police said.

A tense standoff began, with police using a robot to deliver a phone so negotiators could talk to Kim.

At about 3 p.m., police shot Kim when he appeared in front of a glass door with a gun pointed at Kwon. He apparently went to the door trying to retrieve an item that he demanded from police, who refused to say what the item was. Kim was critically wounded and taken to the UC Irvine trauma center. Kwon escaped unharmed.
Kim, arrested on suspicion of attempted murder of a police officer, kidnapping and robbery, is reportedly still in the hospital. More here: Suspect in bank shooting knew hostage.

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