SYDNEY — Sydney police say three people have died, including the gunman, during a hostage crisis that ended when officers stormed a downtown cafe.

Police said the gunman was killed in a confrontation with police early this morning. They said in a statement that a 34-year-old man and a 38-year-old woman also died. Four other people were injured.

Apolice officer suffered gunshot wound to his face.

Police said an investigation is underway because police were involved in an incident in which people died.

Heavily armed police stormed the cafe in the heart of Sydney, ending a siege by an Iranian-born gunman who had held an unknown number of hostages for more than 16 hours.