New York City Police arrested a 35-year-old man on Friday on the observation deck of the Empire State Building for wielding a sword and placing it across his chest, a spokesperson for the NYPD tells TIME. The man, whose name has not yet been made public, was behaving erratically — some local news reports also claimed he had threatened other patrons — and ordered to drop the weapon, to which he complied. He was then arrested and taken to a hospital for evaluation.
It is unclear how he was able to get a sword past building security — including a screening that is “similar to airport security,” according to the building’s website. In a statement to TIME a building spokesperson said, “Earlier today there was an incident which was resolved without any interruption of Observatory operations or impact to any guests.”
- Taylor Swift Is TIME's 2023 Person of the Year
- Meet the Nation Builders
- Why Cell Phone Reception Is Getting Worse
- Column: It's Time to Scrap the Abraham Accords
- Israeli Family Celebrates Release of Hostage Grandmother
- In a New Movie, Beyoncé Finds Freedom
- The Top 100 Photos of 2023
- Want Weekly Recs on What to Watch, Read, and More? Sign Up for Worth Your Time
