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Following a scary ordeal, the five firefighters that were held hostage in a Georgia home have been rescued after SWAT officers shot the gunman.

PHOTOS: Oh No! Gunman In Georgia Holding 5 Firefighters Hostage! 

Authorities say that the SWAT officers used a “flash-bang” grenade to distract the suspect as they entered the home in Gwinnett County. After exchanging gunfire with the suspect, they shot and killed him. Another officer was wounded in the hand or the arm.

The gunman, who has not been identified, released one of the firefighters so that he could move the fire truck, authorities say. Thankfully, all five firefighters are in stable condition. Some suffered cuts and scrapes, but they were released from the hospital Wednesday night. 

While it was initially unclear what the gunman’s motive was, that soon came to light as police made contact with him Wednesday evening.

Gwinnett Police Cpl. Ed Ritter said the suspect faked a heart attack and demanded from police that his utilities and cable be turned back on. The utilities and cable had been shut off because he was having some financial problems.

“It’s a very bold act,” Gwinnett fire Capt. Thomas Rutledge said. “People can often be desperate. We don’t know what the situation could be.”

Rutledge said the department is thankful that police got the firefighters out unharmed.

“It’s an incident people in public safety train for but hope never comes,” Rutledge said. “Tonight it did.”

This isn’t the first time a gunman has lured firefighters into a home with a fake emergency. Last Christmas, a gunman shot and killed two firefighters after deliberately setting his home on fire.

We’re glad the police department was able to act swiftly to make sure that all of the Gwinnett County firemen escaped safely.

SOURCE: AJT