Story out of Dallas....

[Peanutsdad]

http://www.nbc5i.com/news/2871499/detail.html



Daylong Standoff Ends With Gunfire
Gunfire Heard, Details Remain Sketchy

POSTED: 5:17 pm CST February 24, 2004
UPDATED: 7:31 pm CST February 25, 2004

DENTON, Texas -- A standoff involving a woman who allegedly kidnapped her own child at gunpoint in Denton ended Wednesday afternoon, nearly a full day after it began.

It wasn't immediately clear how the event unfolded, but NBC 5 reported that gunfire was heard as SWAT officers swarmed a residence where police said they believed 30-year-old Crystal Pinkston was holding her young daughter hostage.


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Slideshow: Dramatic Rescue Images
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Moments later, officers smashed a window in the house and then pulled 5-year-old Sierra Dawn Sasiain through it.

The team reportedly made the dramatic move after Pinkston refused their repeated attempts to contact her with a bullhorn.

NBC 5 reported that the girl may have been brought to a nearby hospital, but that it was not clear if she had any injuries. Later reports indicated the girl could be released temporarily to her maternal grandparents' custody.

FeedRoom
 
 
SWAT Team Ends Armed Standoff  
 
 
 
 
About 20 minutes after the rescue, a CareFlite helicopter arrived at the mobile home in Valley View and transported Pinkston to Harris Methodist Hospital.

Although reports showed Pinkston died after soon the rescue, the cause of her death remained unknown early Wednesday evening.

According to police, the standoff began with a kidnapping Tuesday.

Officials said Pinkston was armed with a handgun when she removed her daughter from the Southmont Baptist Church day-care center.

The child's father, not Pinkston, has legal custody of the girl, according to police.


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An Amber Alert initially issued by police was canceled once officials reportedly located Pinkston and her daughter inside the mobile home.

NBC 5 reported that Pinkston has a criminal record, but no history of serious violence.

Her family reportedly described her as a desperate drug abuser who was concerned about losing her child in a custody battle.



Gee,  I guess violence IS equal opportunity with men and women.