One in five U.S. adults have heard an active-shooter alert in the past year. This is according to Pew Research Center. It sets a tense backdrop for Friday’s union square incident at Civic Hall on 14th St Union Square.
WikiConference North America 2025 started, and an Ohio man appeared on stage. He pointed a gun at his head and the ceiling, threatening to kill himself. Event staff quickly tackled him and took the gun away before NYPD officers arrived.
Police confirmed a loaded firearm was found, but no shots were fired. No one was hurt. These facts helped calm early rumors of a shooting in nyc news union square feeds.
The suspect was taken into custody, and charges were pending. He was identified as 27-year-old Connor Weston of Ohio. He faces charges of criminal possession of a weapon and reckless endangerment.
The Wikimedia Foundation canceled Friday’s program. They said the conference would resume with extra security. This move aimed to ease concerns about a shooter new york scare in a busy Midtown area.
The union square incident happened in a tech and innovation hub. It’s known for hackathons, not police tape. As alerts went up and social posts talked of a possible shooter new york situation at 14th St Union Square, officials said there was no ongoing threat.
This clarity helped change the story in nyc news union square updates. Organizers worked to bring the community together the next day.
Overview of the Union Square Wikipedia conference disruption
WikiConference North America 2025 was interrupted by a sudden event. This caught the attention of many in nyc news union square. The event was part of ongoing union square events and quickly became a topic of interest.
Location: Civic Hall at East 14th St Union Square
The disruption happened at Civic Hall, a tech and civic space at East 14th Street in Manhattan. People were just getting settled when the opening session started. The venue is near transit links and busy plazas, often hosting union square events.
What occurred during the opening ceremony
At around 9 a.m., a man reached the stage during the opening remarks. He showed a handgun. Witnesses said he waved it, then pointed it at his head and the ceiling. This added to the fast-paced nyc news union square updates about the incident.
Immediate response by organizers and attendees
Event staff quickly acted, closing in on the man and tackling him as the crowd moved back. Organizers gave calm instructions, and volunteers secured the gun until police arrived. Their quick actions helped keep the room calm at 14th st union square, amidst alerts about union square events and nyc news union square.
Suspect identification and status
A 27-year-old visitor from Ohio was detained in the union square incident. He had signed up for the four-day WikiConference. He was taken into custody without anyone getting hurt, and no shots were fired. Early reports were shared across police reports nyc as detectives confirmed his identity and found a loaded firearm.
The investigation is ongoing, with officers looking into motive and timeline. There were brief alerts about a possible ny active shooter. But officials quickly said they had the situation under control. The location near East 14th Street led to mentions of shooter new york.
Ohio man, 27, taken into custody without injuries reported
NYPD officers responded to 911 calls and arrested the 27-year-old from Dayton, Ohio. No one was hurt. The union square incident led to a quick response, a search for evidence, and finding a firearm and personal items.
Name reported as Connor Weston facing weapon and endangerment charges
The suspect is Connor Weston, 27, from Dayton. He faces charges of criminal possession of a weapon and reckless endangerment. Police reports nyc show the charges as detectives talk to witnesses and look at security footage.
Pending charges and investigation status per NYPD and police reports NYC
NYPD says more charges might come after forensic analysis and interviews. The case is being tracked with shooter new york and ny active shooter flags. The union square incident is under investigation, with updates coming through official channels.
| Detail | Confirmed Information | Source Context |
|---|---|---|
| Suspect | Connor Weston, 27, Dayton, Ohio | Identified in police reports nyc and NYPD briefings |
| Status | In custody; no injuries reported | Responding officers and event organizers |
| Recovered Item | Loaded firearm seized at the scene | Evidence collection following union square incident |
| Charges | Criminal possession of a weapon; reckless endangerment | Booking details cited in police reports nyc |
| Investigation | Active; additional charges possible | NYPD ongoing review using ny active shooter protocols |
Timeline of events at WikiConference North America
At Civic Hall on 14th St Union Square, the WikiConference North America started with a twist. It moved from routine to a fast-paced sequence due to the union square incident. The venue, known for tech and civic events, became a focus point for timelines.
Opening ceremony disruption shortly after 9 a.m. to just before 10:30 a.m.
The event kicked off at 9 a.m. but was quickly disrupted. Staff asked everyone to stay seated while they called 911. By just before 10:30 a.m., the situation was under control.
Gun displayed, pointed to head and ceiling, alleged suicide threat
A handgun was shown onstage, aimed first at the person’s head and then the ceiling. This act led to a suicide threat, starting the emergency response. It marked the start of the union square incident at 14th St Union Square.
Event staff tackled suspect; loaded firearm recovered
Organizers and the safety team tackled the suspect on stage. NYPD officers arrived quickly and found a loaded firearm. Their swift action ended the immediate crisis of the union square shooting.
NYPD response and active shooter New York alerts
After getting many 911 calls from Civic Hall on East 14th Street, NYPD units rushed in. They followed protocols for a possible active shooter new york situation. The first reports hinted at a tense union square incident and alerted the whole city.
When officers arrived, people and event staff had already stopped the suspect. NYPD found a loaded gun and arrested a 27-year-old man from Ohio. Luckily, no one was hurt during the first check.
An alert similar to a nyc active shooter warning went out. But it changed once more information came in. Police said there were no shots fired and no danger left, matching updates on new york active shooter alerts and safety news.
Police said charges were coming as they looked over the evidence. Later, they mentioned charges for having a weapon and reckless endangerment. This explained the early active shooter nyc reports linked to the union square incident.
On-site heroism: how organizers subdued the gunman
The union square incident happened quickly, but the organizers acted even quicker. In a crowded room, they kept panic at bay. This detail was highlighted in nyc news union square updates about a possible shooter new york scare.
Actions by safety team members Richard Knipel and Andrew Lih
Richard Knipel was the first to act, moving close to the stage and securing the suspect. Andrew Lih then locked onto the arm holding the weapon. Their actions stopped the confrontation and led everyone to safety.
Disarming process: prying the gun from the suspect’s hand
Lih worked on the grip, finger by finger, while Knipel held the suspect. They managed to lower the firearm and set it aside. This calm action allowed officers to intervene without trouble, keeping the event safe.
Attendee recognition, Barnstars, and community response
When order was restored, the crowd applauded. The Wikimedia community honored Knipel and Lih with Barnstars. Maryana Iskander publicly thanked them, highlighting their role in the union square incident.
Knipel, the first Wikimedian-in-residence at the City University of New York, and Lih, a digital strategist, showed great calm. Their actions helped stabilize the scene during the shooter new york scare and the high-profile union square events.
Conference impact and security measures
The union square incident changed the event’s mood but didn’t stop the work. Organizers focused on safety and open knowledge. They provided clear updates, visible staff, and schedules to ease worries.
Friday program canceled; conference resumed Saturday
The Wikimedia Foundation stopped Friday’s program due to unexpected issues. They confirmed everyone was safe. Sessions began again on Saturday, with careful planning and room adjustments at Civic Hall.
Additional security and law enforcement presence for remainder of event
For the rest of the event, there were more checks and bag screenings. NYPD and building security controlled entry points. They added patrols around East 14th Street to address concerns.
WikiConference North America background and purpose
WikiConference North America started in New York City in 2014. It brings together editors, developers, and volunteers from the U.S. and Canada. The 2025 event began Thursday and ran through Sunday at Civic Hall, focusing on training and outreach.
| Change Implemented | Where Applied | Reason | Attendee Takeaway |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expanded badge checks | All entry doors | Verify access during peak traffic at an active square | Faster lines with clear signage |
| Bag screening | Lobby security stations | Reduce risk after the union square incident | Predictable, consistent process |
| Law enforcement presence | Perimeter and halls | Visible deterrence near union square events | Greater confidence moving between rooms |
| Session spacing | Track schedules | Allow checks without delays | Reliable start and end times |
| Safety briefings | Opening minutes of sessions | Share protocol in plain language | Know exits, contacts, and procedures |
What witnesses and officials reported
People at Civic Hall described a tense scene. This was part of a bigger incident at Union Square that got a lot of attention. Safety officials acted first, and many 911 calls brought NYPD officers to East 14th Street.
At first, there were warnings of a possible active shooter. But, as more information came in, things changed.
Statements from Wikimedia Foundation spokespersons
Spokespeople for the Wikimedia Foundation said the event happened during the second day. They said everyone was safe and thanked those who helped on the floor. The group also said Friday’s program was canceled and that extra security would stay.
Clarification: no shots fired, no ongoing threat
Officials later said there were no shots fired and no ongoing threat. They said this after the suspect was restrained. This news matched what witnesses saw and helped ease worries.
Police statements on the scene and recovery of a loaded firearm
NYPD said officers arrived after many calls and found staff had already stopped the suspect. Reports said a loaded firearm was found and the person was taken into custody without trouble. Detectives said they would keep investigating to find out why and how it happened.
Context and terminology mentioned at the scene
Witnesses at the union square incident saw strange symbols and heard odd language. This caught the attention of many in nyc news union square. Reporters pointed out items seen during the response. At the same time, police focused on keeping everyone safe, despite rumors of a shooter in New York.
“Anti-contact non-offending pedophile” sign and MAPs flag description
Police and media talked about a colorful sign saying “anti-contact non-offending pedophile.” They also mentioned a flag linked to “MAPs” (minor-attracted persons). People at the scene said the sign and flag were together. This detail was shared in nyc news union square updates as officials documented and photographed items found on-site.
Johns Hopkins definition of non-offending pedophiles
Johns Hopkins University explains non-offending pedophiles as those who are attracted to children but haven’t acted on it. They also haven’t looked at illegal child sexual exploitation material. This definition was used in background explainers with nyc news union square briefs. It helped readers understand the terms used in early reports of a shooter in New York.
Wikipedia community policies related to self-identified pedophiles
In the Wikipedia community, editors who call themselves pedophiles are banned forever. This is due to safety and conduct policies. These rules were mentioned in reports about the union square incident and later in nyc news union square summaries.
Related searches and how this fits into NYC news Union Square
After a firearm was reported at Civic Hall near 14th St Union Square, search traffic spiked. Alerts and social media posts quickly mentioned a possible nyc active shooter. This caught the city’s attention and made these searches popular almost instantly.
Why it triggered “nyc active shooter” and “active shooter nyc today” alerts
Many 911 calls and early alerts used terms like nyc active shooter and active shooter ny. These terms spread fast as people shared updates from 14th St Union Square. This is how city alerts often describe possible dangers.
Relevance to “shooting in Union Square NYC today” queries despite no shots fired
People searching for shooting in Union Square NYC today were influenced by initial reports. Even after clarifications, terms like active shooter nyc today and new york active shooter remained popular. This was because early posts were more visible than later updates, keeping the incident in the spotlight.
Tracking updates: new york active shooter, police reports NYC, 14th St Union Square
As news settled, readers looked for police reports NYC for accurate updates on 14th St Union Square. They moved from searching for new york active shooter to official reports. They wanted to know about timelines, custody, and if restrictions were in place.
The pattern shows how urgent language can shape search behavior before official updates change the story.
Conclusion
The union square incident at Civic Hall ended without injuries thanks to quick action. A 27-year-old attendee was restrained after showing a loaded firearm and threatening suicide. Initially, NYPD thought it was an active shooter situation in New York, but later confirmed no shots were fired.
Connor Weston, the suspect, is now facing charges for weapon and endangerment. The event at WikiConference North America was paused on Friday but resumed on Saturday with enhanced security. The Wikimedia Foundation commended the calm response and the quick actions of Richard Knipel and Andrew Lih.
Their efforts prevented the event from turning into a shooting, even as people searched for updates. A loaded handgun was found, and the suspect’s messages and MAPs flag raised safety concerns. Despite this, no shots were fired, and no one was hurt.
Police are investigating the motive and timeline of the incident. The community is focused on recovery and rebuilding trust. Clear communication, visible security, and steady leadership helped keep the conference on track.
For those following the incident, this case shows how planning and courage can stabilize a crisis. The term adeja gun has also been mentioned in reports, highlighting how quickly language spreads during times of fear.
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