Update: 5:50pm EST
Law enforcement officials are reporting that Lee is dead. At least one explosive device went off, but no one besides Lee is believed to be injured. Chief Manger said that when Lee was shot, one of the metallic canisters strapped to his chest and back popped, and “the device may have gone off.” (MSNBC, ABC)
Update: 5:11pm EST
According to Montgomery County Police Chief J. Thomas Manger, police shot Lee at approximately 4:50pm. There are no reports on the gunman’s status, but the three hostages he was holding are reportedly out of the building and safe.
Update: 3:46pm EST
Montgomery County, Maryland, Fire Rescue Chief Richard Bowers says that negotiations have been going on for an hour. Police also told CNN that Lee entered the building ” wearing what appeared to be metallic canister devices on his front and back.”
Police have not confirmed whether anyone has been shot.
Photo from MyspaceA lone gunman who has been identified as James Jay/Jae Lee is currently holding at least one person hostage in the lobby of the Discovery Channel headquarters in Silver Springs, Maryland. The building has been evacuated, but police say there is at least one person being held hostage.
Lee has been protesting Discovery for some time on his website, www.savetheplanetprotest.com; he was apparently angry that the Discovery Channel did not cover overpopulation (the subject of his obsession) enough.
“I want Discovery Communications to broadcast on their channels to the world their new program lineup and I want proof they are doing so. I want the new shows started by asking the public for inventive solution ideas to save the planet and the remaining wildlife on it,” the alleged manifesto reads, adding:”Nothing is more important than saving … the Lions, Tigers, Giraffes, Elephants, Froggies, Turtles, Apes, Raccoons, Beetles, Ants, Sharks, Bears, and, of course, the Squirrels. The humans? The planet does not need humans.”
He’s also ironically against war and immigration.
His manifesto reads “WTF??? STUPIDITY! MORE HUMANS EQUALS MORE WAR!” and also says “Programs must be developed to find solutions to stopping ALL immigration pollution and the anchor baby filth that follows that. Find solutions to stopping it.”
Thankfully, all the children in the Discovery Channel Day Care Center as well as the majority of the employees have been evacuated.
via global regina, CNN, MSNBC
