What would cause this problem with the car running and stopping of the engine?

Not sure what my Saturn Aura decided to do. it started making a funny sound. i pulled over and turned off the engine. Only thing is the engine did not turn off it sputtered out after about 30 seconds. I tried to turn it back on and nothing. i waited about 30 seconds and tried again and all the dash lights started flashing on and off. car wont start the alarm will not come on. not sure it the electrical system went out or the battery just died.