On 15–16 December 2014, a lone gunman identified by police as Man Haron Monis[8] took 17 hostages in a Lindt chocolate café located at Martin Place in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Hostages included Lindt employees as well as customers. After a 16-hour standoff with the police, the crisis ended with the deaths of the gunman and two hostages as police tactical operators stormed the café.[2][9][10] Hostages had been seen holding up a black Islamic flag with the Arabic shahādah.[11] The gunman was described as "claiming political motivation".[12][13] Areas of the Sydney central business district surrounding the site were cordoned off and nearby buildings were locked down during the siege.[14]