...
By Jenna Sundel, Amanda Castro, and Joshua Rhett Miller
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
A man attending Wikipedia’s annual conference in Manhattan was arrested Friday after brandishing a loaded revolver and threatening suicide inside an office building near Union Square, Bloomberg reported.
The NYPD told Newsweek that an unidentified man was observed with a firearm at 10:28 a.m. at 124 East 14th Street in Manhattan. Police said he was taken into custody without incident, no shots were fired and no injuries were reported.
Why It Matters
The incident unfolded at Civic Hall, an event space inside the Zero Irving building, where WikiConference North America 2025 was underway, Bloomberg reported.
Read More on News
...
What To Know
The 27-year-old man jumped onstage at the conference and was stopped by security personnel, the New York Daily News reported.
The man, who is believed to be from out of state, aimed the gun at his head and the air, the outlet reported.
He was taken to the 9th Precinct stationhouse for questioning.
The man had signed up for the conference, Bloomberg reported.
He wore a sign that said "ANTI-CONTACT NON-OFFENDING PEDOPHILE," New York Daily News reported.
What is WikiConference?
WikiConference North America, formerly WikiConference USA, is an annual conference organized by the Wikipedia community in North America.
WikiConference North America 2025 began on Thursday and is scheduled to end on Sunday. The theme is "Wiki World's Fair" to celebrate New York City's 400th anniversary.
Organizers expected 300 attendees over the four days, including scholarship recipients, guest speakers and affiliates from across the region, according to the event's website. The conference features workshops, presentations and networking opportunities. The first WikiConference was held in 2014.
What Happens Next
The NYPD told Newsweek that the investigation into this incident is ongoing.
Update 10/17/25 2:39 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
Do you have a story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have any questions about this story? Contact LiveNews@newsweek.com.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines