South Africa police shoot dead hostage taker

JOHANNESBURG – South African police say a hostage was freed after they shot dead a gunman holding her at a hospital.

Police say three people were slightly injured when the gunman opened fire at the hospital in the eastern port city of Durban earlier Friday, the South African Press Association reported.

SAPA reports that police official Jay Naicker said the freed hostage was being treated for a gunshot wound.

He said in the four-hour hostage drama the gunman failed to respond to negotiators before police stormed a kitchen area where he was holed up.

The gunman, a former patient, reportedly suffered from a psychiatric condition and had fired his weapon randomly after demanding to see a doctor, hospital officials said.