An armed man entered the Discovery Communications headquarters in Silver Spring with metallic canisters strapped to his body and has taken a “small number” of hostages, police say.
Montgomery County police chief Thomas Manger said the man entered the building at about 1 p.m. and displayed a handgun. Police said the metallic canisters strapped to his body could be explosives devices.
Police have not confirmed that shots were fired, Manger said. He said police are negotiating with the suspect. Manger would not release the suspect’s name, but multiple witnesses described him as an Asian male whom they had seen protesting outside the building in the past.
The suspect has remained on the first floor of the building, where a day care center is also located.
Manger said he believed all children have been evacuated and accounted for, and no injuries have been confirmed.
