False alarm of loose gunman sends NYC workers into hiding; e-mailed warning meant for drill
By APSaturday, September 25, 2010
False alarm of gunman sends NY workers into hiding
NEW YORK — Security officials at a New York office tower gave workers a scare when they inadvertently sent out an e-mail warning that a gunman was loose in the building.
The memo went out Friday afternoon in a skyscraper that houses the offices of several magazine publishers, including Reader’s Digest, Conde Nast and The Economist.
The message warned workers to get behind a locked door or lay down on the floor and keep quiet.
Building manager James Shanahan tells the New York Post that it was all a mistake. The memo was meant for a drill.
A few minutes later, another e-mail went out with an apology.
In the meantime, some workers locked themselves in a closet and others dialed 911.
Information from: New York Post, www.nypost.com
