An Alabama hostage standoff continues as the captor, said to be Jimmy Lee Dykes, has held 5-year-old Ethan in his bunker since kidnapping him from his school bus on Tuesday. ABC News shared the latest details on this frightening situation on Jan. 31.
So far police believe that Ethan, a kindergartener who also happens to be autistic, is still okay despite being held captive since Tuesday. Dykes, 65, is a former trucker who stormed onto Ethan's school bus, shot and killed the driver Charles Poland Jr., and took off with Ethan. Dykes has the child in an underground bunker on his property during this Alabama hostage standoff. Neighbors have said Dykes has previously stayed in the bunker for as long as eight days. It is believed he has a sizable number of supplies in the bunker that could last for weeks.
Officials are keeping many other details on this Alabama hostage standoff close to the vest as they are still trying to save this young boy. It is believed that Ethan was unknown to Dykes prior to the kidnapping. The police are negotiating with Dykes, and everybody is hopeful this can have a positive resolution for the young boy. Jimmy Lee Dykes has run into trouble before, as he was supposed to be in court Wednesday over allegations he had shot at his neighbors over a damaged speed bump dispute.
Neighbors have indicated Dykes is considered a menace in the neighborhood, as he is also accused of beating a neighbor's large dog with a lead pipe. It died a few days later. He has also allegedly threatened to shoot children who went to retrieve their dogs from his yard. Many are frightened over what this young child is enduring right now in the hands of someone who appears to be such an angry, unstable and dangerous man.
Those following this developing story are hopeful that the Alabama hostage standoff can come to a close soon with the safe return of Ethan to his family.
Comments