PixelPioneer
Well-known member
A bizarre incident unfolded at a Wikipedia conference in New York City last week, leaving attendees shaken. Connor Weston, 27, from Ohio, stormed onto a stage during the opening ceremony of WikiConference North America 2025 and brandished a gun, threatening to kill himself while wearing a sign that declared him an "anti-contact non-offending pedophile".
The drama unfolded at around 9am in Manhattan's Civic Hall, where Weston jumped on the stage and started waving his gun, making disturbing declarations about taking his own life. Luckily, conference safety team member Richard Knipel sprang into action, rushing the stage and tackling Weston to the ground before he could cause any harm.
According to eyewitnesses, Knipel managed to wrestle the gun away from Weston's hands and put it down, preventing a potentially catastrophic situation. Another conference safety team member, Andrew Lih, helped Knipel by grabbing Weston's arm and prying his fingers off the gun.
Weston was taken into custody after multiple 911 calls were made, with police confirming that there were no injuries reported. However, the incident has left many wondering about the motivations behind Weston's behavior, as he had previously identified himself as an "anti-contact non-offending pedophile" online.
The term, which is often misinterpreted and stigmatized, refers to individuals who experience sexual interest in children but have never engaged in any form of child abuse. According to Johns Hopkins University, these individuals are a unique population that requires special understanding and support.
Despite the disturbing nature of Weston's actions, it's worth noting that the quick thinking and bravery of conference safety team members like Knipel and Lih likely prevented a tragic outcome. The incident has also raised questions about online identity and the need for greater awareness and education around sensitive topics like pedophilia.
The drama unfolded at around 9am in Manhattan's Civic Hall, where Weston jumped on the stage and started waving his gun, making disturbing declarations about taking his own life. Luckily, conference safety team member Richard Knipel sprang into action, rushing the stage and tackling Weston to the ground before he could cause any harm.
According to eyewitnesses, Knipel managed to wrestle the gun away from Weston's hands and put it down, preventing a potentially catastrophic situation. Another conference safety team member, Andrew Lih, helped Knipel by grabbing Weston's arm and prying his fingers off the gun.
Weston was taken into custody after multiple 911 calls were made, with police confirming that there were no injuries reported. However, the incident has left many wondering about the motivations behind Weston's behavior, as he had previously identified himself as an "anti-contact non-offending pedophile" online.
The term, which is often misinterpreted and stigmatized, refers to individuals who experience sexual interest in children but have never engaged in any form of child abuse. According to Johns Hopkins University, these individuals are a unique population that requires special understanding and support.
Despite the disturbing nature of Weston's actions, it's worth noting that the quick thinking and bravery of conference safety team members like Knipel and Lih likely prevented a tragic outcome. The incident has also raised questions about online identity and the need for greater awareness and education around sensitive topics like pedophilia.