Man Holds Apparent Shotgun Near UN Compound in NYC, Arrested, No Threat
On Thursday, November 2, a 60‑something gentleman found himself in a scene that could have easily turned into a blockbuster thriller—he had an “apparent shotgun” perched on his neck near the United Nations HQ in Manhattan. Thankfully, the story ended much faster than any Hollywood climax, with police stepping in and the man surrendering when he arrived at the fence line.
What the Police Say
- “The individual is now in custody and there is NO THREAT to the public.” – New York Police Department
- The officer who first approached him said the man only seemed to be pacing back and forth, leaving a handful of notebooks by the sidewalk before hurrying in.
- Storming the UN compound was avoided thanks to the man’s quick surrender; police had to haul those notebooks in heavy armor to keep everyone safe.
UN’s Quick Response
The UN complex went into a temporary lockdown to ensure everyone’s security. An early‑afternoon partial easing was announced, which opened a separate entrance so visitors could continue their work. UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric made it clear that the man appeared to have no ties to the UN—neither current nor former staff.
Traffic Got a Minor Detour
As the incident unfolded, the 8th and 9th avenues traffic flows were diverted to keep the area clear. Police focused on calming the situation and establishing a dialogue with the man, who was described as being in his 60s.
Takeaway
It turns out that a dramatic “shotgun showdown” near the UN can be averted with a quick police response and a little calm. The police have confirmed that there is no longer a threat, so the city—and the UN—can breathe a sigh of relief. Let’s hope this story stays on the news list and not the thriller section!
