Pittsburgh police chief Nate Harper says the man behind an ongoing hostage situation at a local office building has been identified as somebody with a military background.
By NBC News staff and wire reports
Updated at 1:08 p.m. ET:?Emergency crews, including a police SWAT team and special weapons and tactics officers, responded Friday morning to a hostage situation at Three Gateway Center in downtown Pittsburgh.?
Police said Klein Michael Thaxton walked into the office building around 8:20 a.m., claiming to have a gun and a bomb.
Thaxton took one person hostage in the office of CW Breitsman Associates, LLC, a firm that helps administer insurance, retirement and pension plans, on the building?s 16th floor.
"We are negotiating with that person right now,? said Pittsburgh police Chief Nate Harper. ?No one has been hurt at this time. There have been no shots fired at this time. The individual walked in to the investment office and started asking questions."
It is not clear if Thaxton, who police said is in his 20s, is an employee. Police said he was a former member of the military and has a criminal background.
Follow breaking news alerts on the hostage situation in Pittsburgh
There have been no demands, and he has not told anyone why he is doing this, police said.
Police also said they are unable to talk to the hostage, who is sitting across from the gunman in the same room. But they said the hostage appears to be unharmed.
Thaxton's mother was taken into the building to try to reach out to him.
It is unknown if there are any bombs or how many weapons he may have.
The 16th floor has been placed on lockdown, and parts of the building have been evacuated.
Workers were seen walking away from the Gateway Center complex, which is a high-rise building complex with four buildings. Police were urging people to stay away from the scene. Bus routes in the area have been rerouted and the Fort Pitt Bridge is closed.?
There have been no shots fired and no reports of injuries.?
Thaxton has had run-ins with the law before. Police reportedly?took him into custody last year?after a lengthy chase that ended with him jumping from the roof of an auto body shop in Pittsburgh.?
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.?
Gene J. Puskar / AP
Police block off the area around Three Gateway Center, building left rear, where they are negotiating with a man who claims to have a bomb, in downtown Pittsburgh on Friday.
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