Sydney Siege Update: Police end hostage crisis in cafe

A group of armed officers stormed the building and, according to a witness, gunshots were fired but the fate of the gunman and his accomplices is still unclear: Australian police have ended a 16-hour siege in Sydney where a gunman held occupants of the Lindt Chocolat Café hostage. A group of armed officers stormed the building and, according to a witness, shots were fired but the fate of the gunman and his accomplices is still unclear. The hostage-taker has been identified as Iranian-born Haron Monis, who was already facing charges of sexual assault and accessory to murder among others. A police spokesperson reportedly said that “the operation is over” but did not give any further details. Monis entered the café early this morning with a gun and a headband which had Arabic writings on it. He also demanded an ISIS flag and forced some hostages to hold up a black Islamic flag.