A Florida man with a shotgun surrendered after an hours-long police standoff outside the United Nations building in New York City on Thursday.
Video shows the man surrendering to police on Thursday afternoon — hours after the standoff began.
Law enforcement officials said the incident “did not appear terror-related” and the man wanted to deliver papers to the UN. Law enforcement were able to take possession of the papers and deliver them to the UN, prompting the man to put down his shotgun and surrender.
The man was taken into police custody at 1:40 p.m. and transported to a local hospital for evaluation.
Law enforcement said the man was from Florida and said they would not release his identity at this time. They confirmed the man’s shotgun was loaded with buckshot ammunition.
Earlier video showed police trying to negotiate with the gray-haired man, who was wearing a red sweater and brown jacket and clutching a shotgun across his body.
Police could be heard telling the man “put down the gun; there are better ways to get your message out.”
The man was reportedly in possession of a bag and was heard mumbling to himself.
NYPD’s counterterrorism unit was seen arriving on scene, according to video posted by Fox 5 NY reporter Linda Schmidt.
Armored officers behind a riot shield had moved in to collect notebooks the man apparently delivered to officers. It’s not yet known what the notebooks contained.
Video from inside the UN building showed the man pacing back and forth earlier in the standoff.
Video from a nearby high-rise building showed police cordoning off the street and position nearby.
“We’ve locked down the building due to police activity going on outside the UN in front of our gates,” Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the United Nations told CNN.
UN Security had released an internal message saying, “All personnel and delegates at UNHQ are hereby requested to shelter in place.”
The incident took place amid the UN Security Council’s 8914th meeting, during which the council is discussing international threats to security and peace.
