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Review-Journal
A man who held his estranged girlfriend hostage in a beauty salon for more than three hours pleaded guilty Tuesday to assault and battery charges.
Gerald Burns, 33, originally faced charges including attempted murder, burglary and kidnapping in connection with the February standoff at the Hair Cuttery Plus More, 6849 W. Flamingo Road.
Armed with a high-powered rifle, Burns entered the shop about 3 p.m. in the afternoon, yelled obscenities, then ordered everyone out except Patricia Merrill, 32. Merrill was a customer at the salon.
During the next three hours Burns fired as many as six shots, one of which went through a wall of the salon and into the bar next door, hitting an employee in the leg.
Special Weapons and Tactics officers negotiated with the man for two hours until he surrendered. He later told police he was upset because Merrill had ended their 10-year relationship. The couple has two young sons.
Burns pleaded guilty to assault with a deadly weapon, battery with a deadly weapon and possession of a firearm by an ex-felon.
Under the terms of the plea bargain he will serve between three and 16 years in prison. Sentencing is set for June 19 before District Judge Michael Douglas.
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