Pittsburgh Hostage Standoff: Klein Michael Thaxton, armed man, holding one hostage in downtown office building, police say

By: Crimesider Staff
Topics: Daily Blotter

Police block off the area around Three Gateway Center, building left rear, where they are negotiating with a suspect identified as Klein Michael Thaxton (top left) in downtown Pittsburgh Friday, Sept. 21, 2012.

/ AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar; Facebook/KDKA

(CBS/AP) PITTSBURGH - A man who has taken a hostage inside a downtown Pittsburgh high-rise is posting Facebook updates as police try to negotiate the release of the man he's holding.

Pittsburgh police Chief Nate Harper identified the suspect as 22-year-old Klein Michael Thaxton. On his Facebook page, Thaxton says he's tired of the life he's lived and has "lost everything."

Harper said Thaxton entered the 16th floor office of a benefits administration firm around 8 a.m. Friday asking for the man he eventually took hostage.

Harper says Thaxton has been calm and cooperative but hasn't made any demands.

Police evacuated the building, Three Gateway Center, and surrounded it along with county, state and federal agents.

No injuries have been reported.

More on Crimesider
September 21, 2012 - Pittsburgh Hostage Standoff: Armed man holds one hostage in downtown office building, police say
September 21, 2012 - Pittsburgh SWAT team responds to hostage call at downtown high-rise office building

Add A Comment +