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Armed Man Outside Of New York City's United Nations Surrenders After Hourslong Standoff

united nations lockdown nypd respond armed man rifle pacing outside
Source: MEGA

Dec. 2 2021, Published 2:46 p.m. ET

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An armed man outside the United Nations headquarters in New York City has surrendered after hourslong standoff, prompting a massive NYPD response.

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On Thursday, December 2, the New York Police Department responded to a number of 911 calls reporting that there was a man pacing outside the front gates with what appeared to be a shotgun.

According to CNN, the man was seen walking back and forth “muttering to himself and also [had] what appears to be a bag with him” on East 42nd Street and 1st Avenue in Manhattan.

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united nations lockdown nypd respond armed man rifle pacing outside
Source: MEGA
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The situation prompted an avalanche of police vehicles, as well as the bomb squad — who responded to the ongoing situation as a precaution.

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A message from the UN Security was also administered, reportedly stating: "All personnel and delegates at UNHQ are hereby requested to shelter in place."

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“Host country authorities are presently on the scene,” the message continued, per CNN. "The Security and Safety Service is monitoring the situation and will update accordingly."

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Spokesperson for the United Nations Stephane Dujarric told the outlet: “We’ve locked down the building due to police activity going on outside our gates,” adding that the situation at that time was still ongoing.

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united nations lockdown nypd respond armed man rifle pacing outside
Source: MEGA
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According to CNN, two law enforcement officers on the scene appeared to be engaging with the man and asking him to put the weapon down. However, at 12:20 p.m., the man was reportedly still “in a standoff” with police as he held the gun to his chest, pointing the barrel up toward his head, per PIX11.

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A spokesperson for the NYPD confirmed that the officers were in a standoff with the man as they “tried to develop a dialogue” with him.

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In videos circulating on social media, police officers can be heard asking the man to “put the firearm down” while the man continues pacing. The whole ordeal has caused a massive amount of police activity and helicopters filming the scene from overhead.

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After the hourslong ordeal, the man — donning a red sweater — put the weapon down and threw up his hands in surrender at around 1:45 p.m., PIX11 reported.

According to Newsweek, the man has been described to be in his 60s, although no further information on his identity has been released at this time.

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