Houston Officer Ends Armed Hostage Crisis A routine response to a hold-up alarm at an ACE Cash Express in Houston, Texas, quickly escalated into a life-threatening hostage situation.

Investigators say an armed suspect held an employee at gunpoint and attempted to leave the business while using the victim as a human shield. Responding officers were forced to make a split-second decision to stop the immediate threat and rescue the hostage. Authorities say the suspect was shot during the encounter, and the hostage was safely rescued. The incident remains under investigation.