(Credit: Twitter user @NYCphotos)
[Updated at 1:44 p.m. CST] According to reports, a disgruntled former worker sparked chaos in front of the Empire State Building on Friday when he shot and killed a co-worker. The man then engaged in a shootout with two police officers.
In the end, at lease least eight people were wounded, authorities said.
The shooter has been identified as Jeffrey Johnson.
According to Police Commissioner Ray Kelly, the officers fired 14 rounds at Johnson, 58, after he turned the gun on them.
Kelly added it is possible that some of the people injured were hit in the crossfire or by bullets that ricocheted during the gun battle.
[Updated at 12:40 p.m. CST] New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg praised police as well as civilians for their quick response to a shooting that occurred just outside the Empire State Building on Friday morning.
Two people are confirmed dead and another nine were injured.
“There is no doubt that the situation would’ve been even more tragic except for the extraordinary acts of heroism,” Bloomberg said in a media conference. “New York City is the safest big city in this country but we are not immune to the national problem of gun violence.”
We will have more updates as information becomes available.
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According to New York City officials,several people have been shot outside the Empire State Building and that the gunman is dead.
City police say three or four civilians were wounded as a result of the shooting Friday morning.
According to one fire department spokesman, a call came in about the shooting just after at 9:00 a.m. Friday. Emergency units were reportedly on the scene of the shooting within minutes.
Although reports state that three or four people were wounded, it is not clear as to how many people were wounded or their conditions. The shooting occurred at 34th Street and Fifth Avenue. News 9 2FM will have more information as it becomes available.
View pictures below of Friday’s shooting at the Empire State Building:
