About Those Police Choppers Over King and Varick

The Gothamist Newsmap noted a report of a "possible armed man" around 1 p.m. at King and Varick Streets in downtown Manhattan. Various readers tell us that the police are swarming the area over reports of a "pissed off sniper." We heard that one, perhaps two people were on a roof, possibly with a rifle, hence the NYPD helicopters.

Reader Andy sent us this shot of a chopper overhead. Let us know what you see.

Update: Two smart guys were filming a movie on the roof - and they did have an unloaded rifle and were arrested. The building happens to be where Kate Hudson lives; a neighbor had called 911. (Fishbowl NY says police "are pissed.")

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on March 11, 2008 1:58 PM

Comments [rss]

Toby von Meistersinger

matukonyc: In New York City, Emergency Services Unit = SWAT.

However, they do more than other cities SWAT teams, which just do the normal SWAT team stuff. They also perform various rescue functions (such as at car accidents). They are the cops the other cops call when they need help.

blablanyc

Church St was a mess today. I could hear those choppers outside my office window. I thought the choppers were trailing Spitzer.

Jen Chung

There was a water main break in Tribeca, maybe the choppers were overheard on the way to film that incident?

stefanieiris

I live a few blocks away, and oddly, there were helicopters hovering MUCH earlier in the day as well. Did anyone hear them between 5 and 7 am? It's kind of curious and seems unrelated to this filming on the roof at lunchtime business...

desmotic

There is also a big postal facility on that block. It is behind the passport place. Fed ex uses it too, or so I would assume from the fedex trucks that are always parked there.

matukonyc

@dr_zippy:

It's not just a postal facility, it's a federally-owned building that houses Homeland Security and Immigration!

dr zippy

Isn't there a big postal facility on that block?

moocowtoo

"The men claimed they were filming a movie on the roof, but authorities said no camera was recovered at the scene." 7online

jmer1

http://www.tmz.com/2008/03/11/man-with-rifle-arrested-at-kate-hudsons-house/

the real news

matukonyc

Turns out they were a couple of idiots shooting a movie:

http://www.tmz.com/2008/03/11/man-with-rifle-arrested-at-kate-hudsons-house/

CR

#4 - I'm calling BS on you. That sounds like numerous scenes from numerous Denzel Washington movies.

matthewer

sweet photo

Peter

I saw a man being taken away in handcuffs around 12:45 to 12:50. More cops kept arriving even after he was removed, so there was more going on.

matukonyc

I work across the street - it happened a little over an hour ago.

According to one of the police officers, there were two armed (with either shotguns or rifles) men on the rooftop of a building the north side of King Street, between Varick and Sixth Avenue.

NYPD Emergency Services and SWAT closed off the block, and apprehended the perps, whisking them away in a van about 15 minutes after they had arrived.

I saw the perps in the van.. they were two very young-looking white men.