Receiving Reports About Gunmen, Police Surround UN Headquarters
NEW YORK - Police in New York City, United States (US) surrounded the UN headquarters after receiving reports of a man suspected of carrying a rifle near the international organization's building. Personnel and delegations of member countries inside the UN headquarters have been asked to take refuge in a safe place.
"The New York Police Department (NYPD) responded to a number of 911 calls reporting a man with what appeared to be a shotgun on East 42nd Street and 1st Avenue, near United Nations Headquarters in New York," Detective Hubert Reyes said. (3/12/2021).
A law enforcement official told CNN that the Emergency Services Unit was talking to the man who now appears to still have the gun.
Two law enforcement officers said the man was seen mumbling to himself and also carrying what appeared to be a bag with him.
The two sources said the bomb disposal squad had responded as a precaution.
"We have locked the building because police activity is happening outside the UN in front of our gates," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told CNN.
"Everyone is in the building for a while, the complex is locked," he added.
An internal message from UN Security said:
"The UNDSS Security and Safety Service would like to inform you that there is ongoing police activity on 1st Avenue between 42nd and 43rd Streets."
"All personnel and delegates at UN Headquarters are hereby asked to take shelter in place," continued the internal message.
"Host country authorities are currently on the scene. Security and Safety Services are monitoring the situation and will update it," reads the internal message.