Gunman Killed, Hostages Rescued In Texas Standoff

A gunman who opened fire and took hostages in an Amarillo, Texas Wal-Mart Tuesday was shot dead by police a little over an hour into the incident. 

The Amarillo Globe-News reports 54-year-old Mohammad Moghaddam, described as a "disgruntled employee," entered the store with a handgun and fired into the ceiling before taking two hostages.

Customers streamed from the store as the police arrived. An hour and sixteen minutes into the standoff, SWAT officials opened fire on the gunman, killing him.

Moghaddam’s body was removed from the building and taken to Lubbock for autopsy, police said. A Wal-Mart press release report all customers and employees were safe.

A local banker, who works next door to the Wal-Mart, says his bank was put on lockdown as a precaution. He describes the scene as "chaotic," but was reassured by the strong police presence.