Man Climbs Iconic KTLA Tower In Hollywood [Updated]
A busy stretch of Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood is currently closed during rush hour because a man has scaled the iconic KTLA tower.
Around 4:45 p.m., Wednesday afternoon, the man, wearing a green Celtics hoodie, began to climb the tower, located near the corner of Sunset Boulevard and North Bronson Avenue.
According to KTLA, the tower is 160 feet tall, but the man is only about 60 feet off the ground, standing on top of one of the "5" signs on the tower.
Several LAPD and Los Angeles Fire Department units have responded to the scene, and Sunset Boulevard is closed between Gower Street and Van Ness Avenue, near the 101 freeway. Three inflatable cushions have been set up on the ground under the man.
In 2011, another man was taken down and into custody after climbing the tower.
At this point it is unclear what the man's motive for climbing the tower is.
Update [8:00]: The man climbed down from the tower around 7:50 p.m. and was taken into custody, reports KNX's Claudia Peschiutta. He will undergo a mental health evaluation.
LAFD responding to a man climbing up the @KTLA tower at Sunset & Bronson. Video credit @ScottyDubsLA pic.twitter.com/EfCDTb3Yvj
— Nidia Becerra (@nidia_b) May 11, 2016
Expect major traffic delays near Sunset and Bronson in Hollywood due to police activity. Man climbed @KTLA tower. pic.twitter.com/QtfFwIXVab
— Marcus Smith (@MarcusSmithKTLA) May 12, 2016
Very close image of the man who is on the @KTLA tower in Hollywood, so far refusing to come down. pic.twitter.com/7d7NQmbLOj
— Tara Finestone (@tarawallis) May 12, 2016
More than an hour later, man is still on 160-foot KTLA tower at Sunset/Bronson https://t.co/vELveDNGlo pic.twitter.com/kbrV0Zz0hg
— KTLA (@KTLA) May 12, 2016