An armed man who took a hostage inside a downtown Pittsburgh office building has surrendered to police.
Police Chief Nate Harper says the suspect gave himself up after posting Facebook updates in the early hours of the standoff saying he had "lost everything." Chief Harper said the hostage is alive. The identity of the hostage has not been revealed.
Police identified the hostage-taker as Klein Michael Thaxton. Chief Harper had said Thaxton had a military background and was suicidal.
The standoff began this morning inside the 16th-floor office of a benefits administration firm.
Chief Harper says Thaxton was co-operative but made no demands.
Thaxton's friends had responded to his Facebook posts by urging him to end the situation peacefully, including one who asked him to think of his mother.
The Facebook page was later taken down.
On Facebook, a man who appeared to be Thaxton was posting messages beginning at mid-morning. He also posted what he claimed was his telephone number.
"how this ends is up to yall," said one of his Facebook message.
In another message, he wrote: "I can't take it no more."
"this life I'm livn rite now i dnt want anymore ive lost everything and i aint getting it back," said another message.
Several people responded on Facebook with messages saying they were praying for him and encouraging him to cooperate with police.
The incident took place in the office of a company that handles union pensions, but police said Thaxton did not appear to have any connection to the company.
On Facebook, the man believed to be Thaxton also wrote: "welln pops youll never have to worry about me again you'll nevr need to by me anything no need to ever waste ur hard earned money on me. i'll live n jail you dnt want me around anymore thats kool bye..."
The situation was contained and rest of the office building was not evacuated, Chief Harper said. "The other floors are safe."
Additional reporting: AP
Police have cordoned off several streets around the office building.