The largest hostage rescue operation in US history took place in 1991, when 4 gunmen stormed a Sacramento electronics store and took over 40 people hostage. The 8.5-hour standoff was televised and played out live on television. The hostages were held at gunpoint and some were released early or forced to act as messengers between the gunmen and police. The situation escalated when one hostage was shot and another was sent outside to relay the gunman's demands. Eventually, SWAT teams arrived and the gunmen opened fire on hostages, killing 3 hostages and 3 of the 4 gunmen. The incident sparked debate about how police responded to crises and how decisions regarding the situation could have resulted in multiple deaths.