Sniper Admits Killing Hostage

O R L A N D O, Fla., July 25 -- A police sniper fired the shot that killeda woman being held hostage by a murder suspect during a three-daystandoff, authorities said today.

The sniper was aiming for hostage-taker Jamie Dean Petron whenAndrea Hall, 40, was hit, said Orlando Police Chief Jerry Demings.Demings would not discuss details of the shooting, which theFlorida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating.

The Orlando police officer who fired the shot, Christopher J.Savard, 34, an eight-year veteran who had been a certified sniper formore than two years, was placed on paid administrative leavepending the investigation. Demings said the department expressedits condolences to Hall’s family.

A Professed ShootingPetron told police negotiators on Sunday afternoon that theyshot someone when the sniper fired into the home, but authoritiessaid he refused to let them into the house or give up the injuredhostage.

Demings said Petron also threatened to hurt the other hostages,children ranging in ages from about 8 months to 16 years old, ifauthorities tried to enter the home.

Petron took Hall and four members of her family hostage onSaturday. He was suspected of killing a Broward County conveniencestore clerk and shooting an Orange County deputy in the leg.

Petron committed suicide Monday afternoon, 51 hours afterrushing into the family’s home. The four other hostages, whichincluded Hall’s 8-year-old son and infant daughter, were notinjured.