Shock at Wikipedia conference: armed intruder disrupts opening event in New York

A dramatic incident overshadowed the “WikiConference North America 2025” in New York on Friday. During the opening event, a man from Ohio State stormed onto the stage armed and threatened to take his own life.

Nobody was hurt

The incident occurred at the Civic Hall Community Center, where the annual Wikipedia volunteers and staff conference was taking place. According to police and a Wikipedia spokesperson, the man walked onto the stage around 9 a.m., pointed a gun in the air and shouted unintelligible words before several organizers intervened and subdued him, the New York Times reports. Nobody was injured. The perpetrator was subsequently arrested. The man was carrying a handmade sign that read “anti-contact non-offending pedophile” – a term used by people who say they have pedophilic tendencies but do not commit offenses.

He also wore a multi-colored flag around his neck and on his back, which is considered a symbol of so-called “MAPs” (“Minor-Attracted Persons”) in certain Internet communities. According to Johns Hopkins University, so-called “non-assault pedophiles” are people who have a sexual interest in minors but do not seek contact with children or consume illegal material.

Investigations are ongoing

Little is known about the background to the incident. Police and investigative authorities are currently investigating the man’s motive and whether there was a connection to Wikipedia or the conference. A spokesman for the online encyclopedia said they were working closely with the security forces and reviewing the security measures on site.

As an immediate response, all events on Friday were canceled. On the official website, Wikipedia said that the conference would continue on Saturday under increased police protection. In a statement, the organization emphasized: “The safety of all participants is our top priority. We would like to thank those who acted prudently and helped in the situation.”