Gunman, two others dead in Sydney siege, police say

Sydney , Dec. 16 (NsNewsWire) — Australian authorities stormed the cafe where aself-styled Muslim cleric had been holding hostages early Tuesday, killing the gunman and ending a crisis that had paralyzed central Sydney for hours.

They moved in more than 16 hours after the siege began, only after hearing gunfire inside the Lindt Chocolate Cafe, New South Wales police Commissioner Andrew P. Scipione told reporters Tuesday, reports CNN.

Two of the 17 hostages initially held by the gunman died, according to Scipione.

A police officer suffered a wound to the face from gunshot pellets. He was expected to recover, police said.

“This will not change the things that we hold dear in this country,” Scipione said.