Gunman holds his wife hostage in car in Missouri parking lot after 'court case fallout' - before cops arrest suspect and victim is set free

A gunman took his wife hostage in the back of a car in a Missouri parking lot  following an apparent court case fallout.

Armed cops swooped on the garage near City Hall in the St Louis suburb of St Charles after a person was heard screaming.

Police later updated that the suspect was arrested and the victim set free without being harmed.

'At 12.08, the male voluntarily surrendered and complied,' said Lt. Daniel Gibbons, adding officials believe the gunman and woman are married.

Police have not identified the suspect or the alleged victim, but they believe the pair are husband and wife.

Armed cops swooped on the garage in St Charles, near City Hall, after a person was heard screaming

Missouri cops were in a standoff with a man who reportedly took a woman hostage in his car

A mental health professional was on the scene as the situation unfolds, according to reports

Officers could be seen surrounding the building and blocking the only exit as they said they were trying to talk the gunman down. 

Mayor Dan Borgmeyer claimed on Monday morning the hostage was likely taken due to an argument over a court case at a nearby building that did not go well for the suspect.

Borgmeye said the suspect grabbed the woman after she walked from the courthouse to the parking lot at about 10am.

St Charles, a city of approximately 70,493, is about 30 minutes northwest of St Louis. 

Mayor Dan Borgmeyer claimed on Monday morning the hostage was likely taken due to an argument over a court case at a nearby building

There were no injuries reported in the standoff in St Charles Monday

A mental health professional was on the scene as the situation unfolded, according to local media. 

The area was back to normal by 1pm EST, with all roads re-opened and most police presence cleared.