COP WOUNDED AS POLICE FREE HOSTAGES; GUNMAN DEAD

UPDATE

Police freed two wounded hostages and killed a gunman in a hail of bullets at a Denver convenience store. A police officer was also hurt and underwent emergency surgery.

"There were five or six officers that responded," Police Chief Ron Thomas told reporters. "A number of them did engage in gunfire with the suspect."

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation and Colorado State Patrol joined the investigation into Monday night's bloody standoff at the Maverick convenience store and gas station at South Parker Road and South Peoria Street.

The gunman, armed with a semi-automatic handgun, was pronounced dead at hospital. The two hostages were believed to be store employees. A witness, believed to be a security guard, called 911 for help.