Gunman Takes Hostages In Sydney Cafe, 'ISIS' Flags Held

[Colonial]

MLH said:

Reports of someone being spotted in the hospital with a suspicious package who now cant be found.

Whenever something like this happens there are thousands or "reports of" text and tweets and call-ins to radio.

People need to take a step back and not drum up panic.

[Mr_B]

MLH said:

Mr_B said:

If there is just one or two and they are walking around in view like that, it can't be long before that window shatters suddenly and he drops to the floor in a bloody mess.
I hope they are that amateur and dumb.

2. Using a woman as a human shield (obviously not in that photo though)

Yes, possibly, but surely if they had any clue no one would be able to see in to the cafe by now. Before it all goes a bit Andy McNab, I'm just hoping it says they are clueless idiots. It maybe what saves lives.

[B17NNS]

dandarez said:

Pray all get out without injury or loss (excluding the nutjobs of course).

So you're praying that your sky fairy will intervene and is victorious against the bad man who's doing the other sky fairy's work?

[dazwalsh]

Those police look ready to make a move

[AmiableChimp]

Crikey - my Sister In Law usually meets her pal for a coffee with her newborn on a Monday in Martin Place - thankfully she couldn't make it today.

We've been in that cafe a couple of times when we've been over in Oz.

Frightening stuff!

[Petrus1983]

dandarez said:

One report says 40-50 people could be in cafe.

I've heard from two sources they're thinking 12 or 13 are inside, although Lindt have said 40 is a normal number for that time of the morning - let's hope for the lower number. I can't see this ending well so the sooner they can take out the terrorists the better, based on all other negotiations with such people negotiating will be pointless and just give them more time to spew their 'message'.

[davepoth]

B17NNS said:

dandarez said:

Pray all get out without injury or loss (excluding the nutjobs of course).

So you're praying that your sky fairy will intervene and is victorious against the bad man who's doing the other sky fairy's work?

It's all the same sky fairy. It's like sex chat lines where one lady answers and pretends to be both the giggling schoolgirl and the vicious dominatrix, depending on which number you ring.

[Munka01]

dandarez said:

So does any normal person. Good luck! And to the poor buggers holed up with the nutjobs.

In late just hearing about this/ One report says 40-50 people could be in cafe.

Chrise, 9 days to Christmas when all sane people are thinking about nothing but Christmas.
Perhaps we all ought to be a little more vigilant over the coming days (here as well, I mean).

Pray all get out without injury or loss (excluding the nutjobs of course).

http://www.news.com.au/national/a-man-is-holding-s...

Saying 13 inside (staff and customers)- Live feed http://www.abc.net.au/news/abcnews24/

[percymk4]

The religion of peace strikes again.

Hope this can be resolved peacefully, but knowing these nutjobs, they don't tend to give up quietly.

[dandarez]

B17NNS said:

dandarez said:

Pray all get out without injury or loss (excluding the nutjobs of course).

So you're praying that your sky fairy will intervene and is victorious against the bad man who's doing the other sky fairy's work?

Oh you prat. It's an expression, not a deed. Hardly appropriate response at such a time either!

[dazwalsh]

They keep showing what looks like the perpetrator waltzing about near the window with no human shield. Would a sniper not be ideal resolution to all this next time he shows his face?

[percymk4]

dazwalsh said:

They keep showing what looks like the perpetrator waltzing about near the window with no human shield. Would a sniper not be ideal resolution to all this next time he shows his face?

Guessing they need to be positive there's no other hostage taker in there.

[Justayellowbadge]

I'm beginning to think lone nutter with no affiliation.

[200bhp]

Does Australia have much experience in dealing with this kind of thing?

[Mr_B]

Justayellowbadge said:

I'm beginning to think lone nutter with no affiliation.

What I was thinking. The fact he hasn't done anything after an hour or more is encouraging too, mainly in hope he won't kill anyone but wants press attention. Other terrorist events tend to start the killing instantly. As time passes the Police will fill in all the gaps and maybe work out if he is a long nutter and can take him down without risk.

[Gareth79]

200bhp said:

Does Australia have much experience in dealing with this kind of thing?

I don't think many actual terrorist incidents, but plenty of non-terrorist criminal matters, and I'm sure they are very well trained.

As linked previously, they have a huge number of ongoing investigations and I don't think Australians would be surprised that something has happened.

[percymk4]

200bhp said:

Does Australia have much experience in dealing with this kind of thing?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1993_Cangai_siege

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Hectorville_sieg...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1984_Sydney_bank_robb...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1993_Jolimont_Centre_...

Not much really.

[dandarez]

Justayellowbadge said:

I'm beginning to think lone nutter with no affiliation.

I hope you're right.

ste, that was close, I nearly keyed I 'pray' you're right!

[Pesty]

Might be over peacefully. reports of man on floor being handcuffed??

[MLH]

Man arrested not related to hostage taking.