Climber Arrested After Scaling Trump Tower -- Security Today

Climber Arrested After Scaling Trump Tower

By Sydny Shepard
Aug 11, 2016

An individual, who has still not been named by NYPD, was arrested yesterday afternoon after scaling the side of Trump Tower in an effort to get the attention of Donald Trump.

The man, initially identified as a 20-year-old, started his ascent around 4:00 p.m. and quickly gained altitude as first responders began to try to isolate him on the building. They first tried to talk him down when he made it to the 5^th floor, breaking a window to gain access to the climber. They also lowered the bucket-like vehicle that is usually occupied by window washers, but this time it was negotiators and NYPD trying to get the climber to end his journey up Trump Tower.

Due to a person climbing #TrumpTower, please avoid the area surrounding 5th Ave & 56th Street. pic.twitter.com/yJxI9FrIC8
— NYPD Midtown North (@NYPDMTN) August 10, 2016

By 5:45 p.m., NYPD told reporters that they would no longer be breaking any windows, as the glass could fall and hurt those standing by watching the incident occur, but by 6:20 p.m. they were able to remove two windows on the 21^st floor, blocking the climber from going any higher.

By 6:30 p.m., NYPD had successfully pulled the individual inside the building.

Individual climbing #TrumpTower has been apprehended. Excellent job by @NYPDSpecialops & all supporting personnel pic.twitter.com/FuCi2kJ4sC
— NYPD Midtown North (@NYPDMTN) August 10, 2016

Trump Tower climber wanted a 'personal meeting' with Donald Trump, according to NYPD. https://t.co/5S6cy42aM0 pic.twitter.com/DaiJOw8Kbf
— ABC News (@ABC) August 11, 2016

Onlookers and first responders didn’t know what to think as news started to spread that a man was climbing the Trump Tower. Many began to speculate that he was going to carry out an attack of some sort. The backpack he had on his back left a lot to the imaginations of those watching on the sidewalks below.

By the time police had pulled the man inside the building, they had found a video on YouTube of the suspect explaining why he climbed the tower. In the video titled, “A Message to Mr. Trump” the man explains that he has something urgent he would like to discuss with Trump and said his only way to get his attention was to complete the stunt.

The man was taken to Bellevue Hospital for a psychological evaluation, according to law enforcement. NYPD has been in touch with his family.

The man is expected to face several state charges from the Manhattan District Attorney’s office sometime Thursday morning.

About the Author

Sydny Shepard is the Executive Editor of Campus Security & Life Safety.

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