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Deadly shootout near New York's Empire State Building Deadly shootout near New York's Empire State Building
(40 minutes later)
Two people are dead, including a gunman, and up to nine others are wounded in a shootout near New York's Empire State Building, officials say. A fired women's apparel designer shot dead a former colleague outside the Empire State Building in New York City before he was killed by police.
The gunman was reportedly killed by police, and officials said nine others were wounded in the rush-hour incident in the heart of Manhattan. Nine others were hit by bullets, some possibly fired by police, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said.
Law enforcement officials said a shop worker sacked near the iconic tower shot dead a former colleague. Those wounded suffered minor injuries and all were expected to survive.
The incident took place shortly after 09:00 (13:00 GMT). Police Commissioner Ray Kelly named the shooter as 53-year-old Jeffrey Johnson, who lived in Manhattan. His victim was 41 years old.
Some of those hit by bullets may have been accidentally hit by police, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said in a news conference. The shootout took place in the heart of Manhattan soon after 09:00 (13:00 GMT) when the area was packed with commuters and tourists.
But he said their injuries were not life-threatening and they were expected to make a full recovery. "This was a terrible tragedy. We are not immune to the national problem of gun violence," Mayor Bloomberg said.
'Shooting indiscriminately''Shooting indiscriminately'
Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said the suspect had been fired about a year ago from his job designing women's accessories at a business near the skyscraper. Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said the suspect had been fired about a year ago from his job at Hazan Imports.
He said the "disgruntled" worker had been armed with a .45 calibre pistol, and he fatally shot a former colleague in the head. Johnson had worked at the business, located near the Empire State Building, for six years and was laid off during downsizing.
The shooter was identified as 53-year-old Jeffrey Johnson. His 41-year-old victim was not named. He said the "disgruntled" worker had been armed with a .45 calibre pistol, and he fatally shot a former colleague in the head. He fired at his victim three times.
Commissioner Kelly said that a construction worker followed the gunman, and alerted two police officers outside the Empire State Building. There was a confrontation and the officers shot the attacker dead.Commissioner Kelly said that a construction worker followed the gunman, and alerted two police officers outside the Empire State Building. There was a confrontation and the officers shot the attacker dead.
The suspect is not thought to have had a criminal record. Officials do not yet know whether the attacker's gun was acquired legally.
There was a heavy police presence earlier at the scene on 34th Street and Fifth Avenue, and the FBI also attended.There was a heavy police presence earlier at the scene on 34th Street and Fifth Avenue, and the FBI also attended.
Television helicopters hovered overhead filming the scene, where a body could be seen covered in a white sheet.
Federal officials said the shooting was not related to terrorism.Federal officials said the shooting was not related to terrorism.
Fifth Avenue, a major traffic artery in the city, was closed from 42nd street.Fifth Avenue, a major traffic artery in the city, was closed from 42nd street.
Witnesses described people running away from the scene of the shooting. Witnesses described people running away from the scene.
Rebecca Fox, 27, said she saw people running down the street and initially thought it was a celebrity sighting.
Then she saw a dead man on the ground.
"I was scared and shocked and literally shaking," she said.
An eyewitness told the New York Daily News that the gunman had been wearing a business suit and carrying a briefcase.An eyewitness told the New York Daily News that the gunman had been wearing a business suit and carrying a briefcase.
One woman, Aliyah Imam, told TV station Fox 5 News that the gunman was "shooting indiscriminately at people".One woman, Aliyah Imam, told TV station Fox 5 News that the gunman was "shooting indiscriminately at people".
She said a young woman standing next to her fell to the ground after being shot.She said a young woman standing next to her fell to the ground after being shot.
One of New York's most popular tourist attractions, the Empire State Building is a 1,453-ft (442-metre) skyscraper, which attracts nearly four million visitors a year.One of New York's most popular tourist attractions, the Empire State Building is a 1,453-ft (442-metre) skyscraper, which attracts nearly four million visitors a year.
The tower also has offices and the area is bustling with workers on weekday mornings.The tower also has offices and the area is bustling with workers on weekday mornings.
Are you at the scene? Did you witness the shooting? Send us your comments using the form below.Are you at the scene? Did you witness the shooting? Send us your comments using the form below.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
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