Dept. of Education Worker Taken Into Custody After Professing James Holmes Obsession: Sources

Police found photos of the Colorado massacre suspect at the employee's work desk and, when asked about them later, the man said he's obsessed with the alleged killer

A Department of Education worker was taken into police custody after he told police he was obsessed with the Colorado movie theater massacre suspect when authorities questioned him about photos of the alleged shooter he had at his office desk, NBC 4 New York has learned

Police responded to DoE's Brooklyn technology offices Wednesday night after receiving complaints of the employee's suspicious activity. They found a photo of suspect James Holmes on the employee's computer screen and photos of the alleged killer "all over his desk," a source familiar with the investigation said.

The 60-year-old employee was not at work when police arrived at the offices. Police went to his home, where he allegedly told them he was obsessed with Holmes. He told police Holmes reminded him of him when he was younger and that he sympathized with the accused killer because he doesn't like his co-workers, sources familiar with the investigation said.

Sources say the man seemed dazed and appeared to be drinking. Police found pill bottles and alcohol in his apartment.

The employee lunged at cops while inside his apartment, sources said. He was taken into custody and brought to Bellevue Hospital for a psychiatric evaluation.

It's not clear why the man lunged, but sources say there doesn't appear to be any kind of threat. Police searched his home out of an abundance of caution and concern for potential copycat style attacks. No weapons or any other threats were found, and the employee did not make any threats against anyone, sources said.

He is not expected to be charged at this point, according to sources.

The DoE could not immediately be reached for comment.

Holmes is being held in Colorado after he allegedly walked into a midnight showing of "The Dark Knight Rises" in Aurora last week and opened fire, killing 12 people and injuring 58 others.

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