Durham man holds woman and 9 children hostage

DURHAM, NC (AP) — A Durham man has been arrested after a
standoff in which nine children were briefly held as hostages.

Durham police called to the scene Tuesday morning found an armed
man in an apartment with his ex-girlfriend and nine children ages 4
months to 16 years.

Police evacuated the building and called in hostage negotiators.
The woman was allowed to leave the apartment with the children
shortly after officers arrived at 8:30 a.m.

Thirty-seven-year-old DeMarcus Minter remained in the apartment
until officers entered around 1 p.m. and took him into custody.

Minter is being charged with 10 counts of second-degree
kidnapping, possession of a gun by a convicted felon and possession
of a sawed-off rifle.

It was not clear whether Minter has an attorney.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)