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| James Lee is seen in this 2008 photo believed to be from a Save the Planet protest outside Discovery's headquarters. |
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| Authorities have identified the man holding hostages in the Discovery Channel headquarters as James Lee. |
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| Discovery Channel Building Silver Springs, MD |
SILVER SPRINGS, MARYLAND
SUSPECT IDENTIFIED AS JAMES LEE, ENVIRONMENTALIST
[Updated at 4:44 p.m.] James J. Lee shot; in custody; device detonated; no report on his conditionFollow CNN's continuing coverage of the hostage situation at the Discovery Channel headquarters here.
Update, 4.13 p.m
Update, 3:40 p.m.
Update, 4.13 p.m
James Lee, the man suspected of taking a hostage at the Discovery Channel headquarters, is an environmental protester who has been publishing criticisms of the network, according to a senior law enforcement official close to the investigation.
An angry manifesto posted on a website called SaveThePlanetProtest.com repeatedly refers to humans as "filth" and demands that the Discovery Channel
"stop encouraging the birth of any more parasitic human infants."
"stop encouraging the birth of any more parasitic human infants."
"Civilization must be exposed for the filth it is," the 1,149-word statement says.
"Humans are the most destructive, filthy, pollutive creatures around and are wrecking what's left of the planet with their false morals and breeding culture," it continues.
Lee also blasts immigration, farming, weapons of mass destruction, automotive pollution, "and the whole blasted human economy."
He demands that the Discovery Channel broadcast daily prime-time shows devoted to "solutions to save the planet," perhaps in a game-show format, insisting "Make it interesting so people watch and apply solutions!!!!"
Many of Lee's comments are directed at "the media," saying "You can reach enough people. It's your responsibility because you reach so many minds!!!"
"The world needs TV shows that DEVELOP solutions to the problems that humans are causing, not stupify the people into destroying the world. Not
encouraging them to breed more environmentally harmful humans," the manifesto says.
encouraging them to breed more environmentally harmful humans," the manifesto says.
"These are the demands and sayings of Lee," the manifesto concludes.
Update, 3:40 p.m.
Montgomer County Police Chief Thomas Manger said with the suspected gunman who was identified by federal law enforcement officials as James Jay Lee, have been going on for an hour.
Manger described the suspected gunman as an Asian male wearing vest with what appeared to be two pipebombs and two canisters strapped to it. He was also waving a gun. About 1900 employees work at the Discovery Building. Manger said a small number of hostages was being held, but could offer no information about their identities. Witnesses said they saw four people on the ground. Police say not aware of any injuries.
Manger said they would give another update in 30 minutes.
Update, 3:30 p.m.
At a briefing for reporters, Montgomery County Police Chief Thomas Manger said that a ". . .small group number of hostages," is being held by the suspected gunman who federal officials have identified as James Jay Lee.
Update, 3:20 p.m.
Federal law enforcement sources have confirmed the suspect is James Jay Lee.
Update 3:10 p.m.
Several stores in downtown Silver Spring, including Toys R Us Express, Pier 1 and Borders, have closed their doors.
The Catholic Archdiocese of Washington also notified parents of children at St. Michael the Archangel School -- which is less than two blocks from the Discovery building -- that the building is on "lockdown status," according to an email sent to parents. All students were accounted for but all doors were shut and all shades were drawn, archdiocese officials said.
Update, 3:05 p.m.
Brian Slone, 28, was at his desk when a coworker called from outside the building telling him of the situation. A short time later an alert came over the intercom.
"I'm thinking Columbine all of the sudden and guys walking around with guns," Slone said.
"I'm thinking Columbine all of the sudden and guys walking around with guns," Slone said.
People immediately worried about kids at the daycare on the same floor as the gunman, though they were on an opposite side of the building. Slone said the updates on what to do came swiftly and people stayed calm.
"You don't expect something like this to happen in a creative company, in a family culture like we have here," he said. "but I guess it can."
"You don't expect something like this to happen in a creative company, in a family culture like we have here," he said. "but I guess it can."
Update, 2:46 p.m.: "Law enforcement official confirms the name of suspect James Jay Lee," according to NBC Washington.
In March 2008, the Gazette reported that:
The California man who was arrested after throwing thousands of dollars into the air at a rally outside of Discovery Communications last month was told by a judge on Friday that he would be thrown in jail for up to 60 days if he came within 500 feet of the building.
James Jay Lee, 40, of San Diego was also given six months of supervised probation and fined $500 by Associate Judge Stephen P. Johnson, who quipped that if Lee was so keen on throwing money away, ‘‘you can give some to the state.”
Update, 2:36 p.m.: The hostage is a security guard at the building, according to WTTG Fox 5.
Update, 2:19 p.m.: Police inside the building are speaking with the suspect, according to WUSA 9 TV.
Police have come out from behind their barricades, according to TBD-TV.
The suspect appears to be an Asian male, police told the station.
Update, 2:10 p.m.: Children at a day care center in the Discovery Building has been safely evacuated to a nearby McDonalds. Fox 5 reports that traffic is beginning to back up on the Beltway.
Earlier post: A man with what appears to be an explosive device on him has taken at least one hostage at the Discovery Building in downtown Silver Spring, Montgomery County Police said.
Cpl. Dan Friz
Tactical officers are on the scene and developing a plan to deal with the situation.
Police initially said the building was being evacuated, but employees said they were told via email to stay at their desks.
Officers have not fired their weapons, Friz said,
The building, as well as areas near it, are being evacuated, she said.
Discovery employees said they were told via email to stay at their desks. Some have said on their Twitter accounts that shots have been fired, but police have not confirmed that.
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