Multiple agencies respond to Brazil hostage situation

Police respond to a hostage situation at the Best Western Plus Inn, Brazil.

The Brazil Times/IVY JACOBS

BRAZIL — Officials were working Thursday evening to resolve a hostage situation involving weapons peacefully at the Brazil Best Western Plus Inn.

According to Indiana State Police Public Information Officer Sgt. Matt Ames, the incident began shortly after 10 a.m. Thursday.

When the US Marshals Office, with the assistance of the Clay County Sheriff Office, attempted to serve an arrest warrant on an unidentified suspect located at the hotel near the intersection State Road 42 and State Road 59.

A handgun was allegedly pointed at the officers, who backed away from the room to prevent further hostility, as the suspect kept two hostages — an unidentified female and a juvenile — in the room.

The Terre Haute Police Department confirmed its involvement, with detectives assigned to the Vigo County Drug Task Force also on the scene. After announcing their presence, THPD officials confirmed a shot was fired from inside the hotel room through the door.

However, people staying at a motel next door reported they heard what sounded like multiple gunshots during the initial incident.

Officers initiated a safety perimeter with the employees and people staying at the hotel safely removed.

Due to the suspect’s actions, the Indiana State Police, Indiana Conservation Officers, Vigo County Sheriff’s Office and THPD Special Response Team (SRT) also responded to the scene.

Only law enforcement officials were inside the inn during negotiations by SRT to resolve the situation peacefully with the suspect.

Officials closed a portion of State Road 59 as a safety precaution, which backed up northbound traffic during the incident. Local motorists were urged to find alternate routes around the area.

Around 1 p.m., Sgt. Ames confirmed one hostage had been released, with the second one reported released a short while later.

Negotiations continued into the evening to attempt to resolve the situation peacefully.No injuries had been reported, but STAR Ambulance was on standby at the scene just in case.