3-hour drama puts UN on lockdown Suicidal standoff

A standoff between a suicidal man armed with a shotgun and cops outside the UN complex ended after nearly three hours Thursday.

William Tingler, 65, of Ormand Beach, Fla., was seen pacing on First Avenue between East 42nd and 45th streets late Thursday morning, pointing the gun at himself and refusing to drop it, sources said.

Disturbing photos show Tingler, wearing a red jacket and blue jeans, pointing the firearm under his chin as cops tried to talk him down.

Streets in the area were closed and the United Nations was placed on lockdown, with those inside told to shelter in place.

Tingler was taken into custody at around 1:45 p.m. He was brought to a hospital for psychological evaluation, police said.

He was later charged with criminal possession of a weapon, making terroristic threats, menacing, reckless endangerment and obstruction, police sources said.

He never pointed the shogun, which had a single round in it, at officers, authorities said.

Police officials believe that Tingler had traveled to the city on Wednesday and checked into The Millennium hotel on West 44th Street.

NYPD First Deputy Commissioner Ben Tucker said Tingler had a stack of papers he wanted someone at the UN to review.

Tingler agreed to surrender after police promised to give the various documents to a UN official, Tucker said.

If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental-health crisis, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at (800) 273-8255 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.

TENSE: William Tingler threatens to kill himself Thursday outside the UN unless someone inside read papers he had. He was finally taken into custody and brought to a hospital.