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Police kill gunman in shooting outside Empire State Building
Read the full story and developments in the investigation on CNN.com. For local coverage, visit WPIX, WCBS and NY1.
Scroll down to catch up on the events as they unfolded.
[Updated at 3:19 p.m. ET] Two patients who were brought to New York-Presbyterian Hospital Friday have been discharged and one has been admitted, the hospital's public affairs office said in a statement.
The three people were brought to New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center Emergency Department as a result of a shooting outside the Empire State building shortly after 9 a.m., the hospital said.
Other victims were brought to Bellevue Hospital after the shooting, which police said left eight wounded and two dead, including the gunman.
Police initially said nine bystanders were wounded in an exchange of gunfire between shooter Jeffrey Johnson and police. That number was later revised to eight.
Police killed Johnson as he pulled a gun on them while trying to flee the scene where he fatally shot a former coworker, Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said.
The gunman apparently had a longstanding dispute with the victim over workplace harassment allegations, police said. Both men had filed prior complaints.
[Updated at 12:16 a.m. ET] New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg praised police and civilians for their quick response to a shooting outside the Empire State Building on Friday morning, which left two dead and nine 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."
Gunman Jeffrey Johnson, 53, killed one person before he was shot to death outside the busy tourist destination on 34th Street and Fifth Avenue in a chaotic scene just after 9 a.m., Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said. In addition to being home to a popular tourist destination in Midtown Manhattan, the area is also a busy commercial district.
"I saw people running and I didn't know what happened. I thought it was a celebrity spotting," said witness Rebecca Fox, who was on her way to work when the shootings broke out. "It was a very surreal scene."
Fast Facts: The Empire State Building
The victim was Johnson's former coworker at Hazan Imports, where Johnson was a designer of women's accessories until being laid off last year.
As Johnson attempted to flee the scene, a construction worker across the street alerted two police officers, who pursued him up West 33rd Street, Kelly said. As Johnson pulled out a .45 caliber pistol, the officers opened fire, killing Johnson. It was unclear if Johnson managed to shoot a round.
Nine others were wounded or grazed in the exchange of gunfire, Kelly said. They were taken to local hospitals where they are expected to recover.
"Some may have been accidentally shot by police officers," Kelly said.
Photos and messages from Twitter and other digital platforms that appear to be related to the shooting outside the Empire State Building are being collected by CNN.com social media producer Dorrine Mendoza on this Storify page. CNN editors are working to verify this information and will be updating throughout the day.
[Updated at 11:26 a.m. ET] A gunman fatally shot a former coworker in the head outside the Empire State Building Friday morning before he was killed by police officers, New York Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said.
The suspect, 53-year-old Jeffrey Johnson, was a "disgruntled former employee" of a business near the Empire State Building, Kelly said. As he tried to flee the scene, a construction worker alerted two police officers, who pursued him down 33rd Street, Kelly said.
Johnson pulled a .45 caliber gun on the approaching police officers but it not clear if he actually shot any rounds as police opened fire on him, Kelly said.
Nine people were wounded or grazed in the crossfire, Kelly said.
"Some may have been accidentally shot by police officers," Kelly said.
[Updated at 11:08 a.m. ET] The Empire State Building is fully operational after ten people were shot outside the popular tourist destination this morning, leaving at least two dead.
Building representatives released a statement saying the New York Police Department is concluding its investigation that occurred shortly after 9 a.m.
[Updated at 11:08 a.m. ET] New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg is expected to speak soon after a shooting outside the Empire State Building Friday morning left at least two dead, including the suspected gunman.
A witnessed said they saw a shooter with a "large gun"
[Updated at 10:40 a.m. ET] New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg is expected to speak at 11 a.m. after a shooting outside the Empire State Building Friday morning left at least two dead, including the suspected gunman.
Watch the news conference live on CNN TV, on CNN.com or on your CNN mobile app.
• There is no apparent link to terrorism, a law enforcement official said.
• Are you there? Share your story
• Police shot the suspect, whose body is still lying outside the building covered in a sheet, witnesses said.
• A woman was also killed in the shooting, which occurred as people were lining up to gain entry to the busy tourist destination on 34 Street and Fifth Avenue.
• An elevator worker from inside the Empire State Building ran outside and began chasing the alleged shooter, CNN producer Rose Arce said. At some point police, who were apparently inside the building, were alerted and chased and the alleged shooter.
• Photos and messages from Twitter and other digital platforms that appear to be related to the shooting outside the Empire State Building are being collected by CNN.com social media producer Dorrine Mendoza on this Storify page. CNN editors are working to verify this information and will be updating throughout the day.
[Updated at 10:33 a.m. ET] The body of the alleged shooter is lying outside the entrance to the Empire State Building after a shooting broke out Friday morning, leaving at least two dead, New York City officials said.
A woman was also killed in the shooting, which occurred as people were lining up to gain entry to the busy tourist destination.
An elevator worker from inside the Empire State Building ran outside and began chasing the alleged shooter, CNN producer Rose Arce said. At some point police, who were apparently inside the building, were alerted and chased and the alleged shooter.
Arce talked to several international tourists who were standing around. "They were completely stunned by what happened and were screaming," Arce reports.
[Updated at 10:17 a.m. ET] Ten people were shot outside the Empire State Building, leaving two dead, including the gunman, New York City officials said.
A witness told CNN she saw a man lying in the middle of the street surrounded by police.
"I saw blood on the sidewalk," Rebecca Fox said. "It was a very surreal scene."
[Updated at 10:09 a.m. ET] A suspect started shooting outside the Empire State Building this morning, killing at least one person, New York city officials say.
The suspect had a "large gun," a witness told CNN.
[Updated at 9:55 a.m. ET] - At least 10 people were shot Friday in front of the Empire State Building in New York Friday morning, the New York Office of Emergency Management said.
A suspect in the shooting was shot and killed by police, New York police said.
Authorities converged on the building around 9 a.m. after reports of gunfire.
A witness told CNN's Rose Arce that the gunman ran after and shot a man in the head. An unarmed guard chased the gunman away, the witness told Arce.
Police have closed several several streets around 5th Avenue and 34th Street in Manhattan.
New York resident Max Kaplan, 22, said he heard at least nine gunshots. He said several ambulances have arrived at the scene.
"We're all very shaken up at the office," he said.
The Empire State Building is one of the most famous skyscrapers in the world, and one of New York City's best-known tourist attractions.
Each year, about 4 million people visit the building's two observation decks. At more than 1,453 feet tall, the landmark building reaches more than a quarter-mile into the sky.
soundoff (3,090 Responses)
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I bet it was a LEGAL GUN!!!
Murder is illegal. Whats your point?
My point is – Every MAJOR crime committed lately was by LEGAL GUNS when those people are supposed to be so righteous and love their 2nd Amendment!
I doubt that it was a legal gun. New York City has some of the most restrictive laws in hand gun possession.
Would you prefer it be an illegally purchased weapon? Does it matter? No gun has ever been convicted of shooting anyone.
If all guns are banned do you really think that criminals with stolen guns or even legal guns will give them up? Thanks for keeping good gun owning citizens in danger!
I was born in Queens and live in NY all of my life – I worked in Manhattan for over 15 years – I felt more safe in Manhattan than I did when I moved down here and worked in Richmond!! I rarely heard gun shots in Manhattan or on the subway.
Not in New York. Gun was bought legally most probably at a gun show in Virginia or North Carolina, the place where 90% of the guns that are in New York City come from. Drug runners today no longer run drugs up the Northeast corridor, too dangerous and not profitable enough. Easier to run guns. By them legally at a gun show in Va., no questions asked. Load a bunch of them in a car. If you get pulled over, the canine units only look for drugs, not guns. Also, the penalties for selling guns, much less severe than running drugs. And the demand for illegal guns in NYC is high. So drug runners now run guns. Less heat from authorities, less severe penalties
lloyd roberts – This is a KNOWN fact about Virginia because when I first moved down here, I knew of some acquaintances that had asked me to get guns for them. I don't own a gun – never had my entire life – and what makes these so-call friends of mine think I would buy them guns – but it is true, getting a gun in Virginia is like buying chewing gum!!
@ T'sah From Virginia
I’m sure you are a very nice person and all but you really are coming off as rather dimwitted.
Tom, Tom, the Piper's Son – What would you call a person that chooses to "Name Call" instead of having a conversation? I guess you're not such a nice person?
"NY has gun control laws."...and there is no way this guy came from another state right ?
I am not sure, but I love gun. I don't love government. Gun is necessary for me
Tshah what is your point guns are legal in virginia. but they dont hand them out like buble gum. They allways check you up before they hand you one unless you have been buying it illegally somewhere. ( that looks more likely to me). Out of Richmond, DC and NY. visiting bronx in NY is more scarier then DC and Richmond. guess what DC and NY it is illegal to carry. The way i see it people have killed each other since time immmrial, I would prefer death by a gun then be hacked with a machete.
Repeal the 2nd Amendment and ban all private ownership of guns!
yeah that will help.....
BAN free speech from irrational fools..^^^^^^^^^
No need to repeal the second amendment because it only allows gun ownership in a well regulated militia, i.e. police. Private citizens have no right to them, and the Supreme Court has always agreed
pat...It's pretty obvious that gun bans work isnt it? Criminals follow all the rules, all the time!
That would take a 2/3 majority vote in both the house and senate. It will never, ever, ever, ever happen. Many democrats support the 2nd amendment along with 100% of republicans.
you think that would have stopped this person from obtaining one? think again
Manhattan is one of the strictest places to heave a gun so no. There will be more to this story just wait.
Gun laws only apply to law-abiding citizens...
Do that and only the bad guys will have guns! Think about that !!!
More people get hurt from slipping in the bathtub, lets ban bath tubs!! We need a repeal of showers!!
Ban the ability for people to make decisions for themselves! Kill the individual. Robots!
You're an idiot. Because if guns went away the would become a utopia right?? If you take guns away, we will start stabbing each other, and take knives away and we will beat each other to death with clubs. Guns havent killed a single person ever, but the people who wield them are a different story.
Yeah because banning illegal drugs keeps them off the street too...
Do you think that taking away our second amendment rights will stop things like this from happening? Do you think making gun control laws will make those who already break those laws will keep any new ones? We need people in the system who aren't afraid to enforce the laws already in place. People who will stop giving rights to those who break the law and stop worrying about hurting their feelings.
I blame Bloomberg and his failed anti-gun tactics.
As if that would stop a criminal from having a gun.
Posted by dom u
"dom u
No need to repeal the second amendment because it only allows gun ownership in a well regulated militia, i.e. police. Private citizens have no right to them, and the Supreme Court has always agreed"
What? Where have you been the last couple of years? I case you haven't heard, the Supreme Court has ruled exactly opposite of that at least twice in as many years now. See the Heller v DC and McDonald v Chicago cases for more info. Sorry, but your statement is incorrect and misleading.
Greg
Repeal the 1st amendment, and then you can't speak!!!!
So if they make private ownership of guns illegal, the criminals won't be able to get their hands on a weapon. Or better yet, the soon to be criminal has already gone and registered their handgun prior to committing this horrible act?
If you ban guns, there will be a revolt.
I sincerely hope that you are the first to have every single one of your rights violated when the complete police state takes effect after a complete gun ban. Either that, or victim of assault from those non-law abiding criminals.
Get "Huckster" Huckabee to call for a repeal of something that actually makes sense.
Don't worry folks. Bullets don't harm you when you are legitimately shot.
HAHA i love all the sarcasm. Gun laws aren't in place to prevent gun possession its to have harsher punishment for offenders... aka take them off the street for longer periods of time
The issue here is not getting the guns all turned in and off the streets from "law abbiding " citizens, because then your right to not own a gun or fear of guns then infringes on my right to own a gun. If you don't like guns don't have one. Strange thing in this country, 1 person does not want their child to pray in school, so the entire country says ok no more pryer in school. That was their right for their child but what happened to everyone elses rights. That child later became a minister by the way. That is the beauty of rights, they absolutely had the right to not have "their" child pray, but absolutely did not have the right to infringe on my child's rights. There are quite a few stories that won't be told in mainstream media of gun owners saving lives, even cops lives, with their "legally owned" guns. Because the powers that control them go way beyond some mere president. I have been a respnsible gun owner for over ten years, I have taught family and friends about gun safety and responsibility, and have trained many in gun ownership. I feel that in order to defend myself and my family against a gun carrying psychopath or what ever path or robber etc., my gun is a better solution agianst him than 911, considering the average response time leaves a large gap for whatever to take place. Besides after looking at charts of restrictive gun laws NY flies pretty high to the top, so does DC, and Chicago. get my drift? Make people better, have kind words for each other, love one another and treat those around you in the same manner as you would like to be treated, that's the change the world "really" needs. From an all tooth having, independant voting, college degree having, non-NRA member business owner.
@Chris – "It's pretty obvious that gun bans work isnt it? Criminals follow all the rules, all the time!"
So by your logic, we should have no laws at all?
@Greg – "I blame Bloomberg and his failed anti-gun tactics."
Really? I'd like to see you tell that to one of the victims that just got shot. Let's see if they agree!
I don't think ancient Americans are stupid like you
Ok let's blame the gun, the one thing that can't defend itself! How about let's look st the rest of the story and the human condition. Guy was laid off, probably by a bottom line watcher that got a bigger bonus from shaving costs associated with laying off the shooter "BLAME". The shooter could not handle the pressure placed on him by a world where "everything costs" and he has lost his means of existance in a world where most see need and look the other way "BLAME". More people were injured during the "echange" of gunfire, not soley by the shooter but police as well "BLAME". This disgruntled man may have a family that needed him and felt the need to get revenge on the ones who caused him to fail at that position. We all can sit and point fingers ant the gun which makes no sense what so ever, or we can look at cause and effect. For the sake of a salary saved to a company 2 people have lost their lives. Pray
@ dom u - Your statement was incorrect. Let me help you...."However, the Supreme Court has now definitively held that the Second Amendment protects an individual's right to possess a firearm unconnected with service in a militia, and to use that weapon for traditionally lawful purposes, such as self-defense within the home". Easily research via Google. Just google it.
Yeah, worked great with Booze and drugs, not.
Dom, in what world are you living? The Supreme Court always held that the 2nd Amendment was a right reserved to the government, not the individual?
Seems to me they just made the opposite ruling in DC.
Looks like Bloombergs gun control is working well.
you're going to come out like that after 1 isolated incident?
Beefy – was there other incidents in Aurora we didn't hear about or was that an isolated incident as well?
The cops shot 9 innocent people while shooting the perp. How about these idiot cops work on THEIR "gun control"???
How can this be? Guns are illegal in NYC. The shooter should have known this. If only he had followed the rules this wouldn't have happened.
lol
Right, we really should jsut hand out a gun with every carton of milk sold...b/c more guns mean more safety right moron ?
@Antonio – right, because this is what Kmac5K proposed, right?
Hope all that were shot are going to be okay
You know I have read alot of these comments on here......I have yet to find one as considerate and appropriate as yours. Thank you and I agree totally.
Is anyone else getting tired of this senseless violence?
yes, because criminals so follow gun laws.
I hope the 5 people survive.
freelance, you are an ignorant litte fool!
I don't understand how this could have happened with all of New Yorks strict gun laws...
You can drive from another state to NY you know.
@No – and you can make an effort to recognize sarcasm, you know...
The difference is (dummy) that without the law there wold be a lot more guns and a lot more crime.
"The difference is (dummy) that without the law there wold be a lot more guns and a lot more crime."
DisugstedNY: Take a gander at FBI statistics (dummy). In states that have enacted concealed carry – and otherwise allow hand gun possession, crime goes DOWN. I don't think this is coinsidence. On the other side of the coin, take a look at the "utopia"/cesspool that is Chicago for a better idea of what New York will/has become.
Alright CNN. Time to step up. Let's see if you can refrain from running hours and hours of specials about the shooter. It's no coincidence this horrible shooting keep happening when the media continues to focus so much on the murderer. Don't show his name! Don't show his face!
Yep the media glorifies such actions and indirectly supports them and an effort to boost ratings rake in more cash. Its all about the cash and not the victims involved unfortunately.
I've never been more disappointed when one of the Aurara shooting victim's father was on the air talking to Anderson Cooper. He was pleading with CNN and other media sources (specifically USA Today) to stop glorifying the shooter. To Discuss the victims. You could tell Anderson looked ashamed of the way they were reporting more on the shooter than the victims.
Well guess what the first commercial was for: A CNN one hour special hosted by Piers Morgan all about the shooter. Guys face and name ALL over the screen during the commercial. Right after the father made the case as to why these mass killing are really occurring!
Capitalism at it's best
There is no way this could have possibly happened. NY has gun control laws.
hey stupid, there is something called a car, that he could've used from a hillbilly gun toting state where toothless people have cabinets full of guns and weapons.
This is not a response for CRH, but for Antonio wo responded to him.
I live in one of those "Hillbilly Gun Toting States" and I dare your ass to take away my gun! You will get it when you pry it from my cold dead hands. I have a right to protect myself, my family, and what I have worked hard for!
What happens when Gun laws take guns away from Law Abiding citizens??? "dont be so Stupid" as you would say!
Criminals clearly careless about laws! So when a criminal breaks into your apartment and you cannot protect your family, but he can kill you all becuase he could careless about the gun laws; you might be singing a different tune. You sure as hell wouldnt be sitting here saying awful things about those"hilbiilly Gun toting states" now would you!
Plus, NY has an idiot for a Mayor.
Hey Antonio/"Stupid"... The "hillbillies" where I live may have "cabinets full of guns", but they know their neighbors do too. Result? Polite society. You should try it some time.
Hmmm, I live in a Hill-Billy gun-toting state – ironically enough, we've never had a mass shooting. We have more people die in car accidents every year that to guns. Maybe NYC has it wrong......and the Hill-Billies have it right. Just saying.
Antonio,
Your igorance is showing. Come on down here to one of those "Hillbilly gun toting states" and say that stuff to one of our faces...school us on our stupid ways...I can gurantee the guns will be left in the cabinet or safe (where responsible gun owners keep thier weapons) and you will not only be verbally beat down...but no doubt taught a lesson about politeness and how to address people.
You are obviously a Yankee, your demeanor shows.
On second thought Antonio, stay home.
You are probably not smart enough to be taught anything and we would rather not have folks like you come down here and taint the very polite, respecful society we enjoy.
Stay where you are, honking at each other as soon as a light turns green, throwing your hands in the air and cussing each other for little infractions that are overlooked here......
Your rudeness and intolerance is not something we want.
Antonio, you're an idiot.
bloomberg has a concealed weapons permit and body guards. I will take him seriously when he give them both up.
No matter where you go, there you are... Guns are everywhere.
Because that works so well in China, what was the last on there? 30 children killed by a guy with a knife.....
Now they are reporting the gunman was killed.