Daylong US post office standoff ends peacefully

A suspect in a wheelchair surrenders to a police robot after holding hostages at a post office in Wytheville, Va., on Wednesday. Photo: AP.

State police say a daylong standoff at a small-town post office has ended with three hostages being released and a suspect in custody.

Authorities late Wednesday ordered the suspect to let the hostages go and come out with his hands up.

Soon after, the four left the building in Virginia, including a man in a wheelchair. State police Sgt. Michael Conroy, says that man is the suspect.

Earlier, state police said the man holding the hostages had entered the building pushing a wheelchair.

Mr. Conroy says authorities believe all the hostages are out. Officers are still checking the building in western Virginia.

Shots were fired earlier, but there were no reports of injuries. Relatives say the hostages have been able to contact them by phone.