About WCPO 9

On the early hours of October 15, 1980, James Hoskins, armed with a 9mm J and R M68 semi-automatic rifle and five revolvers, seized possession of the WCPO newsroom. In the parking area of WCPO's studios, Hoskins grabbed reporter Elaine Green and her cameraman at gunpoint. He then pushed his way into the newsroom and kidnapped seven additional people.

Hoskins, a self-described terrorist, revealed in a filmed conversation with Green that he had murdered his fiancée before coming at the studios, among other things. After expressing his dissatisfaction with local authorities, Hoskins concluded by suggesting that he would release his captives if they helped him lock himself in their newsroom in preparation of a firefight with police. Green and the others begged Hoskins for assistance, but to no effect. Throughout the morning, WCPO's news department broadcasted special newscasts from the parking lot. Hoskins ultimately let go of all the hostages, and the situation ended later that morning when Hoskins shot himself while speaking with SWAT negotiators on the phone. Green received a Peabody Award for her leadership during the crisis. She later married Al Schottelkotte, a former anchor and news director. They were married until his death in 1996.