Vincent Thomas Bridge Reopens After Alleged Gunman Climbs To The Top

SAN PEDRO, CA — A reportedly armed man climbed to the top of the Vincent Thomas Bridge in San Pedro Sunday, forcing the closure of the bridge in both directions along with harbor traffic as authorities attempted to talk him down.

The drama began at about 1 p.m. and lasted for hours, according to the California Highway Patrol. Witnesses reported seeing an armed man pull over to the side of the bridge and begin climbing to the top.

Police arrived and made contact with him via his cellphone, the Los Angeles Daily News reported.

Authorities cleared out a 500-yard perimeter around the bridge, treating the incident as a possible active shooter situation.

Eventually, the man climbed down at about 5 p.m. and was transported to a nearby hospital in unknown condition, according to Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Nicholas Prange.

It was not immediately known if the man was armed nor what his intention was in climbing the bridge. According to KTLA, he told the California Highway Patrol he left his firearm at the top of the bridge. Authorities were working to confirm that Sunday evening.

City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.