Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy
Warning: Images in this post may be upsetting to some readers
Editor's note: We chose not to publish any photos
that might reveal the man's identity
Updated 8/16
Law-enforcement sources have told us that the man died from his injuries. We'll update if more information becomes available.
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After nearly 90 emotionally charged minutes early this afternoon, a man who witnesses described as incoherent jumped from the roof of a building on the north side of Fourth Street near Avenue B.
The man, who police say turned 50 today and lives nearby, survived the fall. His current condition is not known. Police did not reveal his name.
According to the Citizen app, a caller reported the man at 12:05 p.m. atop the five-story building at 229 E. Fourth St. between Avenue A and Avenue B.
EVG contributor Stacie Joy arrived at the scene at 12:55 after police had cordoned off the immediate area.
From the street, onlookers saw the man, dressed in an olive-colored shirt, khakis and blue sneakers, pace back and forth along the edge of the building. He didn't seem to pay any attention to the people below, where several bystanders shouted disgraceful comments and urged him to jump.
At some point, the man received a cigarette from the police and walked to the rooftop's edge, balanced on the precipice, and then resumed pacing. He did this several times.
When several ESU officers tried approaching him on the roof, he turned and ran, leaping off the building. He appeared to aim away from the inflatable that the NYPD deployed for him on Fourth Street.
Police officials say the man was badly injured though still alive when EMTs transported him to the hospital.
If you or someone you know is at risk of suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255, text TALK to 741741 or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources.
During this time, a crowd gathered behind the police tape on Avenue B at Fourth Street. (The NYPD also closed Fourth at Avenue A.)
:(
ReplyDeleteVery sad that people were taunting him to jump this person is desperate for some help I hope he survives and finds what he needs .
DeleteSorry to hear about this Thank goodness he's still alive and recovering getting the help he needs.
DeleteHow can People so Dam Callous 2 yell Jump. Police should
Deletehave Made Arrest.
H.Rios🎈
H.Rios🎈
That's terrible people was yelling out 2 job not knowing what that was feeling! That could of been 1 there family up on on da roof. People 's can b heartless! I hope & pray he''ll get da help he needs. This mental health issues may PE 's is going through rt nw dep
DeleteI was there watching but left after an hour. I heard only one or two people making heartless comments, and I feel more pity than anger. Kind of like, "Forgive them, they know not what they do." I was really buoyed up by the person who bravely confronted one of the thoughtless people. I could only pray a s I watched. I'm glad I left.
DeleteBreaks my heart.
ReplyDeletethank you for covering this the way you did. i hope he comes out the other side.
ReplyDeleteI hope he makes it out of this, if you can post an update and let us know. shame on the imbeciles telling him to jump-if there’s a hell, they’re first in line.
ReplyDeleteAgree 100%
DeleteSo sad. Sending healing 🙏🏻❤️
DeleteThose losers who encouraged him to jump will reap what they sow
DeleteFor those of you encouraging him to "JUMP", you are seriously uneducated and need to grow up.
DeleteToday's day there is not compassion for nobody. It's very sad what happened to this man. May God help him to get a full recovery.recovery.thimhim to h
DeleteSo, sadly 😭 for this man and for idiots people telling him to jump 😠 how if was One of their own one will they dare to tell them to jump too!
DeleteThey are evil people out here that’s why you have to stay prayed up.
DeleteI’m just at a lost for words! So sad and horrifying at the same time. Never in my life have I ever read it heard of people literally cheering someone to jump off a building and killing themself. The devil is clearly amongst us here on earth. I read he passed away, So so sad🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
DeleteWhat kind of a monster eggs on a suicidal person??? Jesus Christ, the world is plenty difficult enough right now without that.
ReplyDeleteIf anyone out there is feeling super down, I beg you to please hang on and ask for help. ♥️♥️♥️ I been there, you aren't alone!
💚
DeleteThank You
DeleteSo many a times I've felt like this anguished gentleman, almost every day, even today...I truly sympathize...despair and loneliness is truly a heart-breaker and tòo often a life-breaker...if you feel u can't make it, scream and cry your loudest until some kindhearted soul would reach out and touch your hand....Mr. Feel-the-same Way
DeleteWell said, Mr. Feel-the-same Way. Sending you positive vibes and wishing you to know you are never alone. Signed, A Stranger-who-has-been There
DeleteI've been there before. Thinking I could not hang on for much longer because of the intense pain and anguish I was in. There is always hope. Always. Please, I beg of you--if you ever find yourself in this situation--as it could happen to anyone. Please seek help. You deserve to not be in pain and to get better and it begins by ask others for help. There are good people out there ready and willing to help.
Deletei can’t believe people were yelling to jump.
ReplyDeletethank you for letting us know.
ReplyDeleteI'm iñ tears.
DeleteMay he receive the help he needs. And to the people encouraging him to jump. I have no words other than as a native NYer I am for the first time in my life considering leaving. Disgraceful.
ReplyDeleteOn his 50th birthday? How sad.
ReplyDeleteWe heard the helecoptors. Thanks for your cover, a hard job. 🫂
ReplyDeleteThe lack of empathy of some of the onlookers is beyond disturbing and disgusting.
ReplyDeleteSo sad… I hope he recuperates and gets the help he needs. You never know what a person is going through. Be kind.
ReplyDeleteOh shit, that’s what the helicopter was hovering for earlier? My goodness, what a stressful situation and to have those fucking noise machines surely making it worse.
ReplyDeleteIf you or someone you know is thinking about hurting yourself please call 988. It is a lifeline available 24/7. I hope the gentleman gets the help he needs.
ReplyDeleteHeartbreaking. I hope this man recovers and gets the care he needs. <3
ReplyDeleteWhat kind of disgusting people would shout at someone to jump?!? To see someone in despair and respond that way...I have no words.
Veterans Suicide hotline ..........Dial 988 then Press 1, chat online, or text 838255.
ReplyDeletePeople who yell from a street and encouraged this act need to actually be charged legally. They should be held accountable. That behavior is disgusting, murderous and almost as traumatizing as the man jumping himself. To think we live in a City where we encourage each other to kill our elves jump is just the truth now. I used to live a block away, if I ever saw that…someone please start a gofundme for this guy
ReplyDeleteYes agreed isn’t speech like that forbidden?
DeleteI'm reminded of the saying "Be kind, for everyone is fighting a great battle." And this gentleman was clearly having a terrible internal battle for whatever reason. I wish him the best, whatever that will be for him, and thank you to the good people and to the members of the ESU, EMT's, NYPD, etc. for trying to help him.
ReplyDeleteAbout those who were telling him to jump, I can only say: You represent the vicious underbelly of humanity. "Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you" - if you or your loved one were in such extreme distress as this man was in, would you want strangers on the street yelling such horrible things? I would not want your karma.
I sometimes despair of humanity, but when I look at these photos I'm reminded that far more people were trying to help this gentleman than there were sub-humans screaming for him to jump.
Oh my word. I've lived here in alphabet city since 2010, and have never seen anything such as this. I stayed indoors today working. Had I seen this, I would have been emotional since I lost a relative to suicide. This man must be in so much pain and distress. This world needs more compassion, healing, and love. So many are misunderstood or lonely. Some have absolutely no one in their corner. All it takes is one rash decision to destroy everything. No one should take comfort or joy in witnessing this. I will send out positive energy and love to him.
ReplyDeleteThe lack of compassion from the shouters are not true East Villagers
ReplyDeleteAs I was reading this I was thinking exactly the same thing- our community is so special and has always held each other
Deletejesus christ... chanting?? the neighborhood has been polluted by rich brat monsters with no souls, karma will come for them!!! go back to LA or whatever hellhole you crawled out of you came from cuz you aint from NYC thats for goddammed sure!!
ReplyDeletePoor man. If he fully recovers hope he'll seek help.
ReplyDeleteCripes. Lived there 1990-2018. Never saw anything like that. Amazing he survived. Hope he recovers.
ReplyDeletei hope the victim finds the peace & ease he’s in need of
ReplyDeleteNothing to say really, except to add my voice to those who wish him a recovery, and to express my disgust to those who think it's funny or cool to egg on a distressed man to kill himself.
ReplyDeleteKARMA FOR THOSE ENCOURAGING HIM TO JUMP!!!!
ReplyDeleteI have a sense- maybe I am wrong?- that onlookers egging on someone threatening to jump was a more commonplace phenomenon in the 70s. I recall 10-20 years ago thinking I never hear about that anymore and feeling maybe we were maturing. Sadly, maybe this coincides with a wider societal regression over the last decade. Either way, I agree they should be charged. It’s incitement to commit a lethal act of violence. I’m also concerned that he jumped after being approached by a group. Was there an actual mental health professional trained to help suicidal people trying to engage with him? Of course it might not succeed but there are strategies that have better odds than others.
DeleteIronically my son was confronted by the police and told to calm down when he was directly confronting people for gratuitously filming the event. They were trying to put him in a squad car. So, there ya go.
DeleteParts of our society are depraved and soulless. Whomever encouraged this young man to jump needs professional help. He is obviously in pain and feels there is no escape from this. Suicide hits close to home for me. I won't go into detail, but I've lost someone in my family to suicide. It's nothing to balk at or to make light of. I sincerely hope he recovers and accesses the support he needs. 50 is still youthful. Plenty of time to live and enjoy your life. I don't pray because I don't believe. But I can manifest the best outcome for him along with love and light. Please, EV Grieve, keep us updated on what happens with him.
ReplyDeleteI don’t know if anyone who loves this man will see this but if they do please know mostly people are good. Mostly people are just heartbroken and sad for all the pain this man is in and that you must be in too.
ReplyDeleteThank you. He was a good friend. A great and kind person. He is missed by all those who loved him.
DeleteI wish we could start a Gofundme. I hope he reads these messages of love and support and they outshine any moments of despair.
ReplyDeleteAlso, if anyone does know this man and can start a Gofundme (his privacy could still be respected) I have a feeling it would receive much support as well.
ReplyDeleteI hope he survives and is able to get the help he needs.
ReplyDeleteNo matter how bad you think you are, no matter how tough your situation may seem, there is somebody out there who needs you and wants you to stay with them. Stay with us.
So many of these comments are sincere and heartfelt, which offers some semblance of hope for our broken society. I can fathom what it feels like when there is no light at the end of tunnel. I attempted to take my own life in 2001 when I discovered I was HIV positive at 24. My family from far away disowned me for being gay and for being infected with the virus. I was broke and terrified. It was bleak, but a friend directed me to the GMHC, where I accessed a range of services, which transformed my life in such a positive way without shame or judgment. I am now undetectable and happy. I am not trying to make this about me, but I wanted to demonstrate even in your darkest of hours, there are people who care, who will help, and who will carry you until you can stand on your own. I am sending my very best to this man. Feel better!
ReplyDeleteThank you for updating this; I am very sorry this gentleman has died. I hope his soul is at peace, and surrounded by love & light. My condolences to his loved ones.
ReplyDeleteI commented earlier hoping he would make it. Now, after I read the update, he is dead. My heart breaks. I am in tears as I write this. I don't know what else to say. No more words other than rest in peace buddy. So so sad.
ReplyDeleteOh, no. Condolences to his loved ones. If you see this, I hope you know that whichever jerks may have been misbehaving at the scene do not represent the community reaction to your loss.
ReplyDeleteMy heart breaks to learn that this poor soul has died. It goes to show you, that you should always be kind in your everyday interactions with everyone. You just never know the darkness someone could be carrying or going through. And perhaps a bit of kindness could go a long way towards helping some other fellow human survive. May he rest in peace, surrounded by peace and love and light.
ReplyDeleteAs soulrending as it is to to discover that he died, it is a Mercy. The injuries he sustained upon impact with the sidewalk were devestating and would have left him paralyzed, brain damaged and in unspeakably cruel & permanent pain for whatever dregs of life time and intensive care could afford him.
DeleteFinal Peace, my Sibling, I will never forget your desperate action and always regret we never had an opportunity talk and find a kinder solution for you.😿❤️🐯😻😿
I am so sorry for your loss. I know words cannot help at a time like this or truly make a difference. But know that the outpouring of love and support on this page is heartfelt and real. We are mourning for you and holding you and your loved one in our hearts.
DeleteTo my friend … will miss you hope you in peace now 😔
ReplyDeleteI am sorry for your loss.
DeleteI read on reddit that the sick fucks saying things like "jump already or you'll spend the the rest of your life in a mental hospital" were not smoke up teens but grown ass men and women. Just heartless, disgusting, appalling people.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, hostile crowds egging on suicides are nothing new. They've probably been doing it since they've had tall buildings. Americas first media circus took place, July 26th, 1938.
ReplyDeleteThat day, John William Warde, a 26-year-old bank clerk from Southampton walked out onto the 17th floor ledge of the Gotham Hotel at 55th street and 5th ave. For 17 hours he stood on that ledge with 300 cops holding back thousands of onlookers. Live radio trucks provided continuous coverage as well as periodic advertisements. Crowds chanted, "JUMP! JUMP! JUMP!"
They tried everything possible to talk him off that ledge but to no avail. He finally jumped, plunged into the metal canopy over the entrance, and bounced off it, right in to the middle of 55th street. He didn't die right away either. I think he went into shock and bled out.
Sometimes when I hear stories like this, of people being so cruel for no reason, it makes me lose all hope in people.
ReplyDeleteJust be kind to others and yourself. We are all fragile.
ReplyDeleteIf our fellow man is mentally distraught with suicidal tendencies how can another man tell him to jump! This shows where Americans are mentally & as a community! Disgusting disgrace😪 😔
ReplyDeleteI swear to God, if I ever see someone urge a suicidal person to jump, I will punch them in them in the fucking mouth.
ReplyDeleteSad
DeleteSo much pressure, stressful things how to paying all bills- worrying how can do. Results unbearable end it all. We are all blessed with special abilities life is a gift from Our Lord Jesus pray 🙏
ReplyDeleteAt the end of the day he was one of us A New Yorker . sad people were taunting and filming for tick tock
ReplyDeleteI wish evg would stop censoring stories like this. It was a sad & horrible event I witnessed and truth be told it educated me and made me question what caused it to happen. I believe all news outlets have a civic duty to publish these suicide events uncensored detail complete history leading up to and follow up after the event. I like many others thought the emergency workers would talk him down . None of us in the crowd expect the man to succeed in his desperate act. All I can say is I am glad I never got as far as he did during low points in my own life when the pain tricked me into believing self annihilation would be a solution.
ReplyDeleteI have lost many friends to suicide some with good reason, their pain was terminal & unbearable and others whose decision baffles & confounds friends & loved ones to this day.
All I know is you can't solve any problem hiding it in a closet and pretending it doesn't exist. Especially now with increasing numbers of teens & young adults succumbing to despair this way, we need to bring suicide back into light where it can be studied and understood by everybody. By omitting the supposedly gruesome details of the story evg does it's community a grave disservice.
You can't protect your children by covering their eyes and censoring information. All that does is create a blind ignorant victim who is more likely to fall off a roof.
Note on suicide news coverage.........Yesterday an unidentified man jumped off one of the most expensive hotels in NYC and made citywide front page lead story news. This poor soul jumped off a building in the East Village and died. His suicide was not reported on by major media at all. Thank you EV for covering this and it is a good example [as the comments show here] of why we all check EV Grieve for East Village breaking news.
ReplyDeleteI knew this man. He was a friend, I am tortured at the fact that I have not contacted him in a couple years to see how he was doing. He was an incredible soul. I am deeply saddened trying to think of what pushed him to this point. My prayers are with you my friend
ReplyDeleteI am truly so sorry for your loss. But please do not blame yourself. Also, please take care of yourself and talk to someone about this so you can try to cope and gain some relief and peace. May you be well and at peace and not in pain.
ReplyDelete