DC Radio Tower Standoff: 24+ Hours & Ongoing
- police stretched into its 19th hour Wednesday morning after the man climbed a radio tower on the campus of American University.
- The man scaled the 321-foot tower, located in the 4400 block of Massachusetts Avenue NW, after calling 911, police said.
- American University and police officials urged people to avoid the area during the incident.
D.C. police are in an ongoing standoff with a man who scaled a radio tower at American University, a situation now stretching beyond 19 hours. The climber, who remains on the 321-foot structure, called 911 before the incident, and the motive for his actions is still unknown. the situation briefly affected WAMU‘s signal, but authorities assure the community is safe. This active barricade incident, unfolding on Massachusetts Avenue NW, has drawn significant police presence, with negotiators on-site. The primary_keyword radio tower standoff and secondary_keyword D.C. police action continues to develop, and News Directory 3 is on the story with updates. What will happen next? Discover what’s next as the story unfolds.
Man’s Radio Tower Standoff at American University enters 19th Hour
Updated June 11, 2025
A standoff between a man and D.C. police stretched into its 19th hour Wednesday morning after the man climbed a radio tower on the campus of American University. The incident,which began around 4 p.m. Tuesday, briefly impacted the radio signal for WAMU, according too a station executive. The tower also supports the main broadcast antennas for WTOP.
The man scaled the 321-foot tower, located in the 4400 block of Massachusetts Avenue NW, after calling 911, police said. Authorities described the situation as a barricade incident and deployed negotiators to the scene. as of late Wednesday morning,the man,seen in video footage wearing a red hoodie,remained on the tower. The motive for the climb remains unclear.
American University and police officials urged people to avoid the area during the incident. Bronté Burleigh-Jones, an American University executive, assured students and staff Wednesday morning that campus operations would continue as normal, with all buildings and offices open. According to Burleigh-Jones, police assessed that the individual did not pose a risk to the community or campus safety.