Man in custody after swinging sword on Empire State Building observation deck

Friday, September 13, 2019
MIDTOWN, Manhattan (WABC) -- A 35-year-old man was able to get to the observation deck at Empire State Building on Friday afternoon and began swinging what appeared to be a sword.

Matthew Dixon of Virginia was quickly placed in custody.
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No one inside the Empire State Building was injured.



Police say the sword may have been concealed within a cane, but it is still unclear how Dixon got past metal detectors.

Dixon was taken to Bellevue Hospital for observation. He was charged with criminal possession of a weapon.
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A building spokesperson released a statement saying.

"Earlier today there was an incident which was resolved without any interruption of Observatory operations or impact to any guests."

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