Louisiana bank hostages: Gunman takes at least three hostages at north La. bank, police say

(CBS/AP) State police and authorities in Tensas Parish, La., say a gunman has taken at least three people hostage at a bank.

It happened Tuesday afternoon at the Tensas State Bank in St. Joseph, La., southeast of Monroe in the northeastern part of the state.

Louisiana State Police said the man was armed with some type of automatic weapon. Louisiana State Police Superintendent Mike Edmonson said the FBI was on the way and a state police negotiator was on the scene.

The negotiator is talking with the armed bank robber who is inside the building, reported CBS station KNOE 8 News.

Edmonson says authorities believe three bank employees were being held hostage. It was unclear whether any customers were in the bank.