Galymzhan Abaildayev, 44, climbed the Brooklyn Bridge's north tower on Aug. 2, removed his clothing at the top and jumped into the East River. NYPD Harbor Unit members rescued him and he was hospitalized in stable condition. He was later charged with reckless endangerment, graffiti, public lewdness, criminal trespass and disorderly conduct. A roommate said he planned the jump for his birthday and was reportedly inspired by similar recent incidents.
44-Year-Old Charged After Climbing, Stripping and Jumping From Brooklyn Bridge Into East River
A stock photo of the Brooklyn Bridge in New York CityCredit: Getty
Galymzhan Abaildayev, 44, was charged after climbing the Brooklyn Bridge, removing his clothing at the summit of a tower and jumping into the East River on Sunday, Aug. 2, according to local news reports citing the New York Police Department.
Incident Details
Police say officers responded to the Brooklyn Bridge at about 2:30 p.m. after reports of a person on top of the bridge's north tower. A photo obtained by NBC News showed a man wearing a blue shirt and shorts with a large, square-shaped backpack as he ascended the tower. Authorities later said the man carried a backpack and two flags; officials did not disclose the flags' designs or messages.
When he reached the top, the man reportedly removed his clothing and jumped into the East River. News 12 Brooklyn reported that the leap occurred after officers had arrived on the scene.
Rescue, Medical Care and Charges
Members of the NYPD Harbor Unit pulled the man from the water and transported him to a local hospital in stable condition, NBC News reported. He was not formally charged at the scene; police later processed and charged him at approximately 5:45 p.m.
A stock photo of a New York Police Department vehicleCredit: New York Daily News/Tribune News Service via Getty
The NYPD charged Galymzhan Abaildayev with reckless endangerment, graffiti, public lewdness, criminal trespass and disorderly conduct, according to reports from NBC News, News 12 Brooklyn and WABC.
Context and Eyewitness Account
Abaildayev's roommate, 43-year-old Josh Karadag, told the New York Post that his roommate had been inspired by two people who reportedly jumped from the bridge the previous month and said he planned to make the jump for his birthday. "He was telling me he was going to do it," Karadag said. "Yesterday was his birthday. He said, 'I'm gonna jump from the bridge,' and he did."
Roommate: "He was telling me he was going to do it. Yesterday was his birthday... he did."
Bridge Height
The New York City Department of Transportation lists the Brooklyn Bridge clearance at about 135 feet above the water at its center. A company involved in a restoration project has noted that the bridge's towers rise roughly 272 feet above the water, figures cited by NBC News.
This incident was reported by multiple local outlets, including NBC News, News 12 Brooklyn, WABC and the New York Post.
Help us improve.
