Timeline of the Sydney Hostage Siege
The hostage situation in Sydney, Australia, that ended with the death of the gunman and two of his hostages, according to police, began during a busy lunch rush on Monday afternoon local time and ended more than 16 hours later.
The crisis in Lindt Chocolat Caf eventually shut down the central business district of Sydney with a volley of gunshots and stun grenades.
Here's a breakdown of how the dramatic events unfolded in Australia:
Sunday, 5:45 p.m. ET: News of a situation reported by local media.
Sunday, 6:02 p.m. ET: New South Wales police force tweets about a "police operation" in Martin Place, a pedestrian mall in Sydney's central business district.
Hostages hold up a black flag in the window:
Before midnight ET on Monday, three men and two women flee the cafe. Watch the video.
Monday, 7:14 a.m. ET: Police release a map of the "exclusion zone."
10:03 a.m. ET: Two police stationed outside appear to be preparing for something. A small explosion is heard, presumably from inside the cafe and two police move forward immediately towards the entrance. Immediately six hostages emerge: a man in a white shirt runs straight ahead while the others turn left downhill and are escorted away by police.
10:13 a.m. ET: Another explosion or shot is heard but no action is taken by personnel, but they are visibly tense and standing ready.
10:14:23 a.m. ET: Loud gunshots heard as nearly a dozen police officers wait around the corner.
10:14:58 a.m. ET: Thirty seconds later, gun shots stop and alarms sound.
10:15 a.m. ET: Two officers exit with an older female hostage.
10:18 a.m. ET: Two officers exit carrying another female hostage.
10:19 a.m. ET: A group of at least 7 armed police officers in full protective gear are seen going in under the cover of "loud bangs," which Sydney's Channel 9 called stun grenades. Watch and listen to the dramatic 30-second video.
10:20 a.m. ET: One empty stretcher, five EMTs walk by.
10:22 a.m. ET: Two EMTs carry a male on a stretcher, followed by second and third individuals on stretchers.
10:44 a.m. ET: New South Wales police tweet that the siege is "over."
