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

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.

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.

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."

----------

* More Manhattan news

* Send us a news tip

* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts

* Follow us on YouTube