Armed man in standoff with NYPD at UN entrance surrenders

NYPD on the scene asked the man to put his weapon down.

 The sun shines behind the United Nations Secretariat Building at the United Nations Headquarters. New York City, New York, U.S., June 18, 2021.  (photo credit: REUTERS/ANDREW KELLY/FILE PHOTO)
The sun shines behind the United Nations Secretariat Building at the United Nations Headquarters. New York City, New York, U.S., June 18, 2021.
(photo credit: REUTERS/ANDREW KELLY/FILE PHOTO)

An armed man in front of the UN headquarters has surrendered to police after he prompted a response from officers, blocking the road near the building in Manhattan, New York on Thursday.

The video below shows the man pacing back and forth in front of the UN building before he turned himself in.

NYPD on the scene asked the man to put his weapon down. Police are also trying to establish dialogue with the armed man, who they described as a white man in his 60s, according to an NYPD spokesman.

The man is now in police custody and poses no threat, the NYPD said.

UN staff had to shelter in place as a result of the incident, according to Pix 11.

The NYPD tweeted earlier today warning citizens to avoid "the area of 42 Street and 1st Avenue" and to also "expect emergency vehicles in the surrounding area."

Reuters contributed to this report.