AURORA, Colo. (January 5, 2013)—Four people are dead, including the suspect, after an hours-long police standoff at a Colorado townhome, authorities said.

Police Sgt. Cassidee Carlson said a SWAT team was sent to the scene after gunshots were heard at the Aurora, Colo., home at around 3 a.m. Saturday.

Investigators said three victims appeared to have been killed before officers arrived.

Carlson says the gunman was shot and killed when he exchanged fire with officers at about 9 a.m.

A fifth person escaped uninjured, but Carlson declined to elaborate.

Violence put Aurora in the national spotlight nearly six months ago after a gunman's bloody rampage inside a Colorado movie theater left 12 people dead.

Prosecutors will go to court Monday to outline their case against the suspect, James Holmes.