Connecticut hostage standoff ends peacefully

Several campus buildings were evacuated during the standoff.

FAIRFIELD, Connecticut (CNN) -- A disgruntled Fairfield University graduate surrendered to police late Tuesday after holding as many as 22 students and a professor hostage.

The suspect, whose identity was not immediately released, had freed his last hostage more than six hours after the standoff began on campus here.

"All are fine, but shaken," Fairfield Police Sgt. Gene Palazzolo said of the hostages.

Five female students were released unharmed soon after the situation began Tuesday afternoon. It took hours before the suspect released the others in several groups.

The suspect had made demands during the standoff, but authorities declined to say what they were.

The hostage-taking began around 4 p.m. during a religious studies class on the second floor of Canisius Hall, which houses administrative offices and classrooms. The rest of the building and two adjacent buildings, including one residence hall, were evacuated.

Student Eric Rodriguez said the suspect made a threat after opening the classroom door.

"I've got a bomb, and if security comes, then they are gonna mess up my plan, I'm trying to fulfill my plans," the suspect said, according to Rodriguez.

Popular teacher was among hostages

Doug Whiting, the university's assistant vice president for public relations, identified the faculty member who was taken hostage and then released as religious studies Professor Elizabeth Dryer.

"She is an extremely distinguished, level-headed member of our faculty. And if she could have been of assistance in this situation, I'm sure she was. She's one of the stars of our faculty," said Whiting.

School officials and students said Dryer is extremely well-liked and that her class, "Voices of Medieval Women," is one of the toughest to get into.

Students had said the hostage-taker is visually impaired, wears an eye patch and typically walks with a guide dog.

"The dog, as we know, is not with him right now," junior Danielle Mole said while the standoff was continuing. "I heard that he wants to be noticed by the university. Perhaps, he feels like he's been slighted by the university and wants some kind of justice."

Junior Cassie Blom added: "I just hope that everyone is released safely and we can get some answers as soon as possible."

Campus calm

During the standoff, hostages were seen through the window of the room where they were held.

During the incident, authorities communicated with the suspect through a door in the classroom, Whiting said.

Fairfield Mayor Ken Flatto said authorities had identified the suspect but were not disclosing his name. He described the man as someone "from one of the surrounding towns" who "knows the area pretty well."

He said things were "very calm" on the campus during the incident. Students gathered at a "safe distance" to watch the situation unfold, while some watched from the windows of their dorms.

Fairfield University is a Jesuit-run Catholic institution with some 5,000 students about 60 miles northeast of New York City.