Woman With Gun Enters Charlotte TV Station
WSOC evacuted, SWAT team surrounds ABC affiliate in Charlotte, N.C.
Dec. 21, 2010— -- A distraught woman walked into the lobby of a Charlotte, N.C., television station today and when a security guard wouldn't let her further into the building, she pulled out a gun and put it to her head.
The employees of the station, WSOC-TV, ABC's affiliate in Charlotte, evacuated the building, and the TV channel went black for a short period of time, interrupting the station's 5 p.m. newscast.
Police were called and a SWAT team surrounded the building, according to reports, and after a brief standoff, she was taken into custody.
Police later learned that the gun was not loaded.
"She never pointed the gun at any individual other than herself," WSOC-TV general manager Joe Pomilla told The Associated Press.
The station was off the air for about an hour, and came back shortly after 6 p.m.
Police identified the woman as 51-year-old Wendy Naidas. She was taken to Carolinas Medical Center Main for evaluation.
According to Pomilla, the woman was upset about her financial situation and wanted to talk to someone.
"She came here because she wanted attention," Pomilla told the AP. She was talking about "financial issues. She was in an accident and said she needed help," he said.
Though the station went black and the building was on lockdown during the incident, staff at WSOC kept people informed through Twitter.
"Not on air. Distraught woman with gun in lobby. Police have building surrounded. Employees evacuated," WSOC-TV anchor Blair Miller tweeted from inside the station.
Another producer tweeted that all of the newsroom employees had been evacuated to a back lot.
"Evacuation happened approx. 5:05 during my show," producer Katie tweeted.
"UPDATE anchor in station says it's a female gunman and one shot was fired but so far no one hurt," tweeted someone using the twitter handle TVAmy.
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