Patrol: Alliance gunman's father found dead at home; all injured "stable"

Andres Gonzales

Authorities have confirmed that the father of the armed suspect in yesterday's 14-hour standoff at an Alliance pharmacy was found dead in his home.

The Patrol says the body of 62-year-old Larry Gonzalez was discovered around 10 a.m. Tuesday morning at 472 Cody Avenue. The Patrol also confirmed that he is the father of 27-year-old Andres Gonzalez, who also resides at that address.

The Patrol said an autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause of death, and the investigation at the second crime scene continues.

Meanwhile, authorities have released a few new details on the incident at Thiele's Pharmacy in downtown Alliance.

The incident began just before 9 a.m. when Andres Gonzalez walked into the pharmacy, and Alliance Police officers responded to the 911 call of an armed man entering the building.

Gonzalez exchanged gunfire with Alliance Police Officer Kirk Felker, 43, during the initial response. Felker underwent surgery for a gunshot wound to his arm and is stable condition at Box Butte General Hospital. Gonzalez then took the owner of the pharmacy, 62-year-old Charles Lierk, hostage.

Just after 10:30 a.m., Trooper Tim Flick, 37, was wounded when gunfire was exchanged through a door into an adjacent building, and suffered three gunshot wounds to his left arm and midsection. He is in stable condition at the Alliance hospital.

A second Alliance Police Officer, Matt Shannon, 35, suffered a shrapnel wound when Flick was shot. He was treated and released from the hospital.

At around 4:30 p.m., Lierk was able to escape from the building, and suffered gunshot wounds to the back and arm. Lierk is in stable condition at the Alliance hospital.

The standoff continued for another six hours, until around 10:30 p.m., when an exchange of gunfire occurred between Gonzalez, who had barricaded himself in a back office, and members of the Patrol SWAT team. About an hour later, Gonzalez was pronounced dead at the scene. No SWAT team members were injured in the shootout.

The initial investigation has determined the suspect was armed with an assault rifle, as well as a handgun. The Box Butte County Attorney has scheduled an autopsy on the body of the suspect. Nebraska law requires a Grand Jury be convened anytime someone dies while in the process of apprehension or in the custody of law enforcement.

The Box Butte County Attorney is continuing to assist Nebraska State Patrol in the investigation of the events leading up to the hostage situation and stand-off involving Gonzalez.

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