Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Police Kill Discovery TV Gunman, Free Hostages

Suspect objected to network's programming

By the Associated Press

Posted Sep 1, 2010 4:27 PM CDT

(AP) – Police shot and killed an armed man who took three people hostage in the Discovery Channel network's headquarters in suburban Washington today. All of the hostages escaped safely. Authorities say an explosive device may have detonated during the shooting, and other explosives may still be in the building.

Police spent about 3 hours negotiating with the man after he burst into the building about 1 pm EST waving a handgun and with canisters believed to be explosives strapped to his body. The gunman has been identified in multiple reports as James J. Lee, 43. To read about his rants against Discovery, click here.

In this image released by the Montgomery County Police, James J. Lee is seen is a booking mugshot from 2008 on disorderly conduct. ((AP Photo/Montgomery County (Md.) Police))

This frame grab from MySpace.com shows the page of James J. Lee. ((AP Photo) NO SALES)

Police push people back from near the front of the headquarters of the Discovery Channel networks building in Silver Spring, Md., Wednesday. (Jose Luis Magana)

In this Feb. 14, 2008, photo, James J. Lee protests in front of the headquarters of the Discovery Channel networks in Silver Spring, Md. (AP Photo/Chip Py)

Police officers block the street in front of Discovery Channel networks headquarters building in Silver Spring, Md., on Wednesday Sept. 1, 2010. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

CLICK BELOW TO VOTE

10%

19%

41%

21%

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Kate Plus 8 Fueled Discovery Gunman's Wrath

James J. Lee hated network for encouraging population growth

(NEWSER) - The gunman shot dead after taking hostages at Discovery Communications headquarters yesterday hated the network's shows because he believed they promoted population growth. James J. Lee—who had a history of protesting around Discovery HQ —demanded an end to shows like Kate Plus 8 and 19 Kids and Counting in his online manifestos, the AP reports. More»

Suspected Gunman Has History of Protests

He's well-known around Discovery HQ

(NEWSER) - This is apparently the mindset of the hostage-taker police are negotiating with at Discovery Channel headquarters: "All programs on Discovery Health-TLC must stop encouraging the birth of any more parasitic human infants and the false heroics behind those actions." The suspect identified as James J. Lee, 43, wrote that diatribe on this site , which lays out his "demands" of the network, reports MSNBC . More»

Student Gunman Releases Hostages, Shoots Self

Teacher, 23 students were held for 5 hours

(AP) - Twenty-three students and a teacher held hostage in a Wisconsin high school for more than 5 hours have all made it out safely. The 15-year-old gunman who burst into a classroom at the end of the day shot himself after police stormed the classroom, authorities say. Five of the 23 students who had been taken hostage had been released about 20 minutes before police entered the classroom because they told the gunman they had to use the bathroom. The other 18 students and the teacher were released unharmed once officers were inside. More»

Gunman Takes Hostages in Discovery Channel HQ

He has history of trouble with company

(AP) - A gunman who had what police described as "concerns" with the Discovery Channel networks is holding a "small number" of hostages in the company's suburban Washington headquarters. Police are in negotiations with the man, who entered the building in Silver Spring, Md., wearing what appeared to be explosive devices. He also pulled out a handgun. Authorities say they have no confirmed reports of injuries. More»

Oprah Sets Date for Cable Launch, Show Move

Discovery Channel to media mogul: 'Move it or lose it'

(NEWSER) - The long-awaited launch of Oprah's cable network is set for early 2011, and her syndicated talk show will move to the new Oprah Winfrey Network—and from Chicago to Los Angeles. The switch from Discovery Health Channel to OWN was originally set for mid-2009, and Discovery threatened to rescind the offer, saying it wanted her to "move it or lose it," Nikki Finke of Deadline Hollywood reports. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Police Kill Discovery TV Gunman, Free Hostages

Suspect objected to network's programming

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Discovery Channel • Discovery Communications • gunman • hostages • James J. Lee

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Kate Plus 8 Fueled Discovery Gunman's Wrath

James J. Lee hated network for encouraging population growth

Suspected Gunman Has History of Protests

He's well-known around Discovery HQ

Student Gunman Releases Hostages, Shoots Self

Teacher, 23 students were held for 5 hours

Gunman Takes Hostages in Discovery Channel HQ

He has history of trouble with company

Oprah Sets Date for Cable Launch, Show Move

Discovery Channel to media mogul: 'Move it or lose it'

About Us

Site

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?