Robert “Joe” Halderman, the man who attempted to blackmail David Letterman, has been released from jail, the Associated Press reports. Halderman had served four months of his sentence; the former CBS producer for 48 Hours was handed a six-month sentence for threatening to release evidence of Letterman’s interoffice affairs. Halderman was released from Rikers Island due to good behavior, but still must serve 1,000 hours of community service. “He survived this, and he’s glad to be getting off the island,” his lawyer, Gerald Shargel, told the AP. Halderman pleaded guilty to first-degree grand larceny in March.

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Accused David Letterman extortionist pleads guilty

Ric O’Barry, former trainer on the series Flipper and a participant in the Oscar-winning 2009 documentary The Cove, delivered a petition to the U.S. embassy in Japan yesterday demanding an end to the country’s annual dolphin hunt. O’Barry’s letter was signed by 1.7 million people from 155 nations, according to the Associated Press.

TNT is renewing Memphis Beat for a second season, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The show, starring Jason Lee as a Tennessee detective, has been averaging a solid 4.5 million viewers through its first ten episodes.

Rich Sommer — who plays Harry Crane, that nice guy in glasses on Mad Men — had a baby boy last night. Seven pounds, nine ounces. His name is Patrick Ryan Sommer. Wife Virginia is resting comfortably. We’re pouring a couple of old-fashioneds in his honor.

The Montgomery County Police have confirmed with EW that authorities have shot down James J. Lee, the gunman who took three people hostage at Discovery Channel’s corporate headquarters today in Silver Spring, Md., and the Associated Press is reporting that he subsequently died. All hostages escaped, and are now safe.

According to Corporal Dan Friz, an explosive device might have detonated during the ordeal: “There was a minor detonation of it, but luckily no injuries to anybody,” he told EW. Back in 2008, Lee was arrested for disorderly conduct in front of the building after he led a protest against the network. His motives apparently stem from his efforts to save the planet. On a website registered to Lee, a statement criticizing the network was posted in January 2008: “These guys have been very sneaky and deceptive as to their contribution to the planetary problems. Just look at their ‘new’ show about saving the planet, Planet Green, to me, it’s just another show about more PRODUCTS to make MONEY, not about actual solutions. We can’t let them get away with doing it anymore.”

According to Friz, the building is still being cleared.

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Armed man holding a hostage at Discovery Channel’s headquarters

People reports Paris Hilton has been banned from Wynn properties in Las Vegas, including Wynn and Encore. The move comes after the heiress’ arrest for possession of cocaine. Wynn Las Vegas also released a statement regarding nightclub exec Cy Waits’ position with the company, stating that Hilton’s boyfriend had been “separated from the company and is free to pursue other interests.”

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Montgomery County Police confirm with EW that an armed man entered the Discovery Channel headquarters — located in Silver Spring, Md. — and is holding at least one person hostage. According to police, calls were made at approximately 1 p.m. about a man with a gun, and possibly explosives. The area has since been cleared out. Police, bomb technicians, and a SWAT team are on the scene, attempting to contact the man, who is located in the lobby.

The Associated Press reports that a person inside the building claims the man “had something strapped to his chest,” and is also holding explosives. The person also told the AP that those inside the building have been ordered to not speak to media. Other witnesses have claimed to have heard shots fired in the building.

UPDATE: According to NBC News, authorities have identified the gunman as James J. Lee, someone who is believed to have had “concerns” with the Discovery Channel, and has protested at the building in the past. He is believed to have taken “a small number of hostages,” and is speaking with police. At this point, police have not confirmed whether or not Lee has explosives on his person. Lee had been previously arrested at the site before; back in 2008, he was taken into custody after the threw thousands of dollars in the air nearby the building.