Discovery Channel HQ gunman dies

The man responsible for taking hostages at the Silver Spring, MD headquarters of the Discovery Channel on Wednesday has died.

James Jay Lee was shot by police hours after entering the building with a gun and explosives strapped to his chest.

He later died of his injuries.

TMZ reports that police decided to open fire after seeing Lee point a handgun at one of the hostages.

They are said to have made several attempts at negotiations with the suspect which were unsuccessful as Lee made demands that "mirrored" those listed on his "radical" website.