A man fatally shot himself in his vehicle outside City Hall Monday morning, officials said.
The unidentified man drove up to the east gate of City Hall on Park Row around 7:30 a.m. in a black Nissan Altima and suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound near one of the security checkpoints to enter City Hall, the NYPD said in a tweet.
According to the New York Daily News, the entrance where the shooting occured is the one Mayor Bill de Blasio uses to enter City Hall, but the mayor was traveling to Albany at the time of the incident, a spokesperson told the paper.
“This is believed to be an isolated incident. Information is preliminary, more to follow when available,” police said.
Advisory: at approximately 7:30am an adult male drove his vehicle up to east side gate of City Hall (Park Row), exited his vehicle and suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound. This is believed to be an isolated incident. Information is preliminary, more to follow when available. pic.twitter.com/ziZcBdm7LO
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) February 5, 2018
UPDATE: The male did not exit the vehicle and the vehicle did not strike or hit the gate.
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) February 5, 2018
UPDATE: Due to an ongoing police investigation regarding an isolated, apparent suicide in the vicinity of City Hall, vehicular traffic will be restricted southbound on Centre Street from Chambers Street to Park Row, and on Park Row from Spruce Street to Broadway. pic.twitter.com/Bb62ZcDnrZ
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) February 5, 2018
The man was pronounced dead at the scene. Police initially reported that he had exited his vehicle before shooting himself, but clarified the man did not actually leave the car in a later tweet.
During their investigation, police restricted southbound traffic on Centre Street from Chambers Street to Park Row, as well as on Park Row from Spruce Street to Broadway. Manhattan-bound traffic on the Brooklyn Bridge was also briefly suspended as well.
All road closures ended just after 9 a.m., and residual delays re expected.
UPDATE: Due to the investigation on Park Row outside of City Hall, all Manhattan bound traffic is closed on the Brooklyn Bridge.
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) February 5, 2018
Traffic has reopened on Park Row. Expect residual delays and a police presence due to the ongoing investigation.
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) February 5, 2018
UPDATE: The Manhattan bound traffic has reopened on the Brooklyn Bridge. Expect residual delays.
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) February 5, 2018
Pending family notification, the man’s identity has not yet been released, but the Daily News reported he is a 61-year-old Pennsylvania resident who allegedly wrote a suicide note on Facebook.
In the note, the man blamed de Blasio, former Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Gov. Andrew Cuomo for his financial struggles as a for-hire driver competing against taxis and other livery vehicles.
“I have no more health insurance and am not enjoying good health,” he wrote according to the New York Post. “No more vehicle as my GM engine failed twice this year as well as the transmission. No more income to pay bills and maxed-out credit cards I cannot pay. I will lose my house and everything else. I see no point to continue trying.”
This is a developing story. Metro will update as details emerge.
