The SRT team assembles in Montoursville during last night's standoff in Montoursville. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

A lengthy hostage situation overnight in Montoursville ended violently when a gunman fired and gravely wounded a woman he was holding at gunpoint in her apartment at 324 Jordan Ave., state police confirmed. The man, whose identity has not been released, was in police custody and was expected to be charged with attempted homicide and related offenses, police said.

After holding the woman hostage for several hours, gunfire erupted about 1:50 a.m. Wednesday when members of the Williamsport police Special Response Team “attempted to make forced entry into the residence. At this time, team members heard two gunshots fired from inside the residence. As they made entry, they saw one man and the victim who was found with multiple gunshot wounds,” state police said in a new release that was issued hours after the shooting.

“The male was taken into custody and transported” to the nearby police barracks on Cherry Street in the borough while the woman was rushed to UPMC Williamsport by ambulance.

The woman’s condition was listed as “critical,” police said.

At no time did any law enforcement member at the scene fire any weapons, state police said. Although the borough has its own police department, state police often take the lead in investigating most violent crimes such as this in the borough because they have the essential resources for such work.

Borough police were initially called to the woman’s apartment to check on her welfare about 8:20 p.m. Tuesday, it was stated in the news release. An officer attempted to make contact with the woman, but was unsuccessful, police said. When the officer checked with the woman’s place of employment and learned that she did report to work, he returned to the scene accompanied by a second officer, police said.

The officers “heard voices coming from within the apartment. The officers identified themselves and were talking with the victim. Shortly after contact was made, the officers heard one gunshot and immediately took cover,” the officer said. This happened about 9 p.m. Numerous additional officers rushed to the scene and immediately set up a safety perimeter around the apartment building.

The city’s Special Response Team as well as trained officers assigned to Montour/Columbia County SWAT, were deployed and asked to respond to the scene. A professional negotiator also was requested. “Negotiations were attempted” with the gunman, but the news release did not say if the negotiators were able to actual talk to him.

Montoursville fire police were detouring motorists away from the area.

Some surrounding homes were evacuated with residents exiting their houses through their back doors.

The Sun-Gazette will have updates as more information becomes available.