VENICE, FL. – Authorities are investigating a hostage situation that occurred at the T.J. Maxx store on U.S. 41 Bypass in Venice Tuesday.

According to the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office, the situation began around 9:30pm Tuesday.

Witnesses say two gunmen entered the store and took several people hostage. Authorities believe the two masked gunmen tied up workers and patrons in the TJ Maxx store.

At 9:45pm, SWAT teams arrived and negotiators were on scene, while helicopters flew above. The entire shopping center was blocked off and that store was surrounded by armed authorities.

Some of them told authorities the gunmen were still inside. Others said they had already left before the police arrived.

Some hostages began running out of the store. The hostages that made it out of the store were taken to nearby laundromat and debriefed.

A Group of SWAT team members entered the store at 12:30am, but no gunmen were found. SWAT teams soon went in dragging one woman out.

The standoff lasted about four hours. No major injuries were reported.

The suspects were not found inside.

This investigation continues.