The week-long hostage standoff between Jimmy Lee Dykes and law enforcement ended today with the kidnapper dead and his 5 year old victim safe.
All the details haven't been released but witnesses report hearing and explosion followed quickly by what sounded like a gunshot.
According to FBI Special Agent Steve Richardson"FBI Agents safely recovered the child who's been held hostage for nearly a week."
He went on to say that negotiations with the suspect Richard Lee Dykes "deteriorated" in the past 24 hours. "Mr. Dykes was observed holding a gun. At this point the FBI agents fearing the child was in imminent danger, entered the bunker and rescued the child," Richardson said.
The boy identified only as Ethan "appears physically unharmed" and is being treated at a hospital, authorities said.
Before the official announcement, an officer on the scene remarked "It's all over,, the boy is ok."
The standoff started when Jimmy Lee Dykes, 65, approached a schoolbus telling the driver that he wanted to give him broccoli from his garden. The driver, Charles Albert Poland Jr., knew Dykes and opened the door.
Then Dykes said he wanted two of the children. Charles Poland tried to protect the children, even opening the rear escape door so they could get away.
"He said he was going to kill us, going to kill us all," passenger Tarrica Singletary, 14, told ABC News.
Poland was given a hero's funeral at the community civic center. Thousand came to honor the man that gave his life to protect those kids on his bus.
Dykes then shot Poland four times, killing him. Dykes took 5yr old Ethan and barricaded himself in a prepared underground bunker.
Police and FBI agents were communicating with Dykes through a PVC ventilation pipe throughout the crisis. Dykes allowed officials to provide Ethan with his medication, coloring books, Hot Wheels cars and snacks delivered down the same pipe.
Today, negotiations took a bad turn. Apparently, the FBI had Dykes under surveillance inside the bunker. After nearly a week of negotiations, Dykes suddenly looked agitated and had a gun in his hand.
The FBI felt that Ethan was in imminent danger and took action. When it was over, Dykes was dead and the boy was safe.
Ethan appeared to by physically unharmed, but was taken to the hospital for observation. He was reunited with his family and was laughing, playing and eating.
The local Midland City Sheriff spokesman held a press conference at 10pm, but did not release any further information. He described it as an "ongoing investigation and active crime scene."
FBI Special Agent in Charge described Ethan as "very brave, and very lucky." He also reiterated the Sheriff's comments that it is still an ongoing investigation and it may be several days before the details can be released.
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