Hospital gunman may have been bipolar

A hostage situation at Westville Hospital in Durban ended when snipers shot and killed the hostage taker.

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A man who held a woman hostage for four hours at Westville Hospital in Durban on Friday was shot dead.

Police moved in on the man after negotiations had failed, said KwaZulu-Natal police spokesman Colonel Jay Naicker.

“After negotiating.... the guy was (still) not responding.”

Initial police reports were that he had taken two hostages but police later found the second woman safe in the hospital.

The gunmanhad earlier fired several shots in the hospital.

It was believed he may have been suffering from a bipolar disorder.

“At approximately 7:40am, the suspect demanded to see a doctor or nurse and became impatient and began firing shots randomly,” Naicker said.

Hospital staff, patients, and visitors panicked and ran in different directions for cover.

Three people were injured.

The hospital said among those injured were a nurse who was struck by a ricocheted shell, a security guard who was shot in the leg, and a member of the catering staff who sustained wounds to her leg and shoulder.

They were receiving treatment and were in a stable condition.

Hospital spokeswoman Leanne Nyiri said the gunman earlier took a receptionist hostage.

She was taken to the first floor of the building but managed to escape.

Naicker refused to answer questions relating to the case, saying investigations were continuing.

It was unclear how the man entered the building while armed. - Sapa