BBC News - Police in Alabama hostage standoff for six-year-old boy 30 January 2013 Last updated at 21:43 Police in the state of Alabama have surrounded a man who has taken a six-year-old boy hostage, after boarding his school bus and killing the driver. The gunman, named by neighbours as Jimmy Lee Dykes, 65, was holding the youngster at his remote home, police said. The suspect, a retired lorry driver, is not believed to be related to the boy. The incident began in Midland City on Tuesday afternoon when the bus driver refused to hand over the child. Mr Dykes shot the driver and abducted the youngster, authorities say. Suspect 'menaced neighbours' According to witnesses, the attack began when the school bus stopped to let off two children. Mr Dykes grabbed the door so it could not close and came on board, demanding two boys aged six and eight. When the 66-year-old driver, Charles Albert Poland, blocked the bus aisle with his arm, Mr Dykes fired four shots, killing him. Church Pastor Michael Senn, who comforted the children after the incident, was quoted by AP news agency as saying: "As far as we know there is no relation at all. He just wanted a child for a hostage situation. County Coroner Woodrow Hilboldt said Mr Dykes was believed to be hiding in something similar to a tornado bunker. The bunker had food and electricity, and the boy was watching television, said law enforcement officials. The authorities lowered medicine at one point into the bunker for the boy, with the kidnapper's agreement. It was not clear if the suspect had any demands. Nearby houses were evacuated when police discovered what they believed to be a bomb on his property. According to court records, Mr Dykes was due to appear in court on Wednesday for menacing neighbours as they drove past his house some weeks ago.