ISTANBUL - An Iranian man who was being pursued by police in Turkey robbery took two people hostage at a school Tuesday before releasing them and trying to commit suicide, Istanbul's police chief said.
Celalettin Cerrah told Anatolia news agency that hostage-taking occurred after the man fired at Istanbul police who were chasing him because they suspected him of committing a theft.
He then took refuge in a private school where he took a teacher and a school employee hostage and held them for about three hours.
Cerrah said the man later released the two hostages and then shot himself in the heart.
"Officers tried to give him guarantees so that he wouldn't commit suicide but he shot and wounded himself and his life is in danger," the police chief said.
03/29/2005 10:48 GMT