AURORA, Colo. -  

Authorities say four people are dead, including the suspect, after an hours-long police standoff at a Colorado townhome.

Police Sgt. Cassidee Carlson says a SWAT team was called after gunshots were heard at the Aurora, Colo., home at about 3 a.m. Saturday. Investigators say three victims appeared to have been killed before officers arrived.

Carlson says the suspect 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.