Gunman surrenders after freeing captives

Plano - A gunman who took 80 young children hostage at a day-care centre near Dallas released his last two captives and surrendered…

Plano - A gunman who took 80 young children hostage at a day-care centre near Dallas released his last two captives and surrendered peacefully on Thursday night, ending a tense 30hour armed siege.

Mr James Monroe Lipscomb Jnr (33) put down his handgun and walked slowly out of the day-care centre in this Dallas suburb shortly after setting free his final captives, his son, Monroe (5) and stepson, Xavier (7).

Police said fatigue helped bring an end to the hostage drama, which on Wednesday saw dozens of parents crying and praying outside the day-care centre. The siege began after Mr Lipscomb had an argument with his estranged wife, Ms Kristen Shaw, who worked at the centre.