A number of media sources are confirming that at least 2 people have been killed and another 7 people injured when a gunman, now identified at Jeffrey Johnson, went on a shooting spree at the Empire State Building in New York this morning. The suspect gunman was shot and killed by police on the scene outside of the Empire State Building.
The shooting reportedly stared just after 9AM Friday morning. The two people reported killed in the shooting include the suspect. Specifics about the shooter and the reason for the shootings are just being released.
Mayor Bloomberg issued a statement at 11:22 am eastern today. The Mayor confirmed that the individual was a former employee at a company, Hazan Importers, near Empire State Building. The mayor also said that some of those injured during the gun fight with the suspect may have been accidently shot by police.
The suspect identified as Jeffrey Johnson, age 53, shot a former co-worker with a .45 caliber handgun three times killing him. After fleeing the scene, Johnson was followed by a construction worker who alerted police. When confronted by the police, a gunfight ensued leading to the eventual death of Johnson. According to police, 7 men and 2 women were shot during the gunfight.