SILVER SPRING, MARYLAND (BNO NEWS) – Emergency response teams and SWAT on Wednesday responded to the Discovery Communications Headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland after an armed man took three hostages and was subsequently shot by police and the hostages were safely removed.

Police officials said that three hostages were being held by an armed individual who has been identified as James Jay Lee, an environmental activist and longtime Discovery Channel protester who was previously arrested in 2008. Police said he was shot and all hostages were removed safely, and he said that he did not believe there were any hostage injuries.

It was believed that he had explosive devices attached to his chest and his back, devices that were described as small metal canisters, and there was a “popping” sound. There may be additional devices inside the building, and police and SWAT teams are working to render those safe.

The condition of James Lee is unknown, but is in custody. A police official said that he was shot but said to reporters that he "did not know the suspect's condition." He also said that the investigative portion of the incident was just beginning and further updates will be given as they come.

(Copyright 2010 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved. Info: sales@bnonews.com.)