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WMAR barricade a reminder of Phoenix TV hostages

Posted at 2:49 PM, May 13, 2014
and last updated 2016-05-13 12:54:37-04

The WMAR barricade situation isn't the first of its kind. One of the most publicized TV station barricades happened in Phoenix in 1982.

On May 28, a gunman burst into the KOOL-TV studios and held anchor Bill Close and camera man Louie Villa hostage for five hours.

In this case, the entire city watched it all unfold as Close negotiated with the gunman on live TV.

The hostage situation reached a climax when Close read a rambling statement from the suspect.

Moments later, he surrendered and was later committed to the Arizona State Hospital.