[Sypher209]

I'm surprised that this hasn't been posted here yet, it's happening right now and it's all over the news and TV networks.

Sydney's CBD is in lockdown as police negotiate with a gunman who stormed into the busy Lindt Chocolat Cafe in Martin Place on Monday morning and took customers and staff hostage.

In extraordinary and terrifying scenes, hostages could be seen through the cafe's windows with their hands held in the air, while heavily armed police surrounded the building.

A number of hostages were being forced to hold an Islamic flag against the window shortly after the siege began at 9.45am.

Thousands of workers across the city have been sent home early and some of the city's major buildings evacuated.

They include the Opera House, the State Library, Channel Seven, the NSW parliamentary executive offices, the NSW Supreme Court's criminal courts, the Downing Centre, and several city legal chambers.

An unknown number of staff and customers are being held at gunpoint inside the cafe. It was earlier reported that 20 hostages were being held.

Heavily armed police have surrounded the building, and negotiators are attempting to speak to the gunman, police said.

"Police urge members of the public to remain calm and note that an appropriate police presence is in place," police said in a statement.

A woman is believed to have raised the alarm at 9.44am when she saw a man outside the cafe carrying a blue sports bag with a gun inside.

There are reports that there could be two gunman inside the cafe, although police have not confirmed this.

Terrified customers in the cafe could be seen holding an Islamic flag - which is black with white writing on it - up against the glass window.

The flag appears to be a Shahada flag, not an Islamic State flag, but is associated with Islamist and jihadist movements.

Just before 12.30pm, police tackled a man to the ground about 200 metres from the cafe and a police officer was seen with his foot on what appeared to be a small black handgun.

However police later said the arrest was not related to the ongoing siege.

The cafe is right in the middle of the banking and retail district, and is usually packed with Christmas shoppers at this time of year.

The federal government convened a meeting of the National Security Committee this morning.

It has been warning for months that a terrorist attack in Australia could happen.

http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/police-cle...15-127824.html

[katzmeow]

Crazy!!!

[jinhwangtikatang]

Live updates, links to livestreams http://www.reddit.com/live/u2pwph99rvy6

[nyazzip]

Religion Of Peace. say no more.

[Bletch]

Yep, just about to say religion of 'peace'
Always targets the weak and helpless. I hope they won't have a massacre.

[hal0mega]

Meh, something this tense happens in some form in the world all over everything month. Only a matter of time for my country.

It's sad that one could get used to this, but hey, the world isn't all flash and dandy

[Hanze]

A few videos of police storming the building and Monis' demands relayed by hostages.

And here's the guy's website (archived, it's since been taken down): https://web.archive.org/web/20141215...eikhharon.com/

[PTSD Is My Life]

Interesting advertising ploy there Lindt, but I am not sure if it will increase your christmas sales though

[Sypher209]

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/new...649b46889a3fd9

Sydney siege: Gunman among three dead as gunfight brings an end to Martin Place drama

Makeshift memorial highlights huge outpouring of grief

Dead include top QC’s sister, cafe manager who tried to tackle gunman

PM: Our thoughts and prayers are with families of two hostages

‘Shaken’ Premier vows: This will not dampen our resolve

KATRINA Dawson, 38, the sister of top media lawyer Sandy Dawson Jnr and daughter of Sydney Royal Golf Club former president Sandy Dawson Snr has been identified as one of the two hostages killed in the Cafe Lindt siege in Martin Place, where well-wishers laid floral tributes this morning.

The second victim, 34-year-old cafe manager Tori Johnson died a hero after reportedly trying to knock the weapon from lone gunman Man Haron Monis who also perished.

Sydney’s terror siege horror ended in tragedy early this morning as police stormed the Martin Place cafe.

Flashes of light and gunshot rang out from the building only moments after six hostages escaped the clutches of armed Islamic hate preacher Monis just after 2am.

Latest details on injured hostages

•A 75 year-old female who received a gunshot wound to the shoulder – stable condition.

•A 52 year-old female who received a gunshot wound to the foot – stable condition.

•A 43 year old female with a gunshot wound to the leg – stable condition

•A 39 year old male who received a minor facial injury due to gunshot – treated at hospital and discharged.

•A 35 year old pregnant female assessed for health and welfare purposes - stable.

•A 30 year old pregnant female assessed for health and welfare purposes – stable

[Linxy5]

I'm very sad that two innocent people were killed. I watched your first uploaded video, it seems like there was alot of back and forth firing between swat and the hostage taker. I think they could've planned it a little better so two lives weren't lost, maybe like a sharp shooter/sniper.