Image from outside the scene.
The shooting occurred at 345 Park Avenue, Midtown Manhattan on July 29, leaving at least one police officer dead, two others seriously injured, and many others injured, according to law enforcement sources.
The incident occurred at around 6:30 p.m. local time, during rush hour, when a man armed with a rifle entered the 44-story building, which is home to organizations such as Blackstone and the NFL. Security camera images show the suspect wearing a vest, white shirt, sunglasses and carrying a rifle as he entered the main lobby area.
The New York Police Department also released security camera images showing a man possibly involved in the incident, appearing with a long gun as he walked through the entrance of the office complex. Authorities are continuing to investigate to fully determine his role.
Image from security camera.
A witness on the ground floor described the gunfire as “like a burst of automatic weapon fire, very loud, very fast – probably a weapon with a large magazine”.
New York police confirmed that the suspect acted alone. He barricaded himself in the building and was later found dead on the 33rd floor. Several other victims were also found on that floor. It is not yet clear which company the 33rd floor belongs to.
Among the victims, a police officer from Station 47 – who was on paid security duty for the building’s owner – was shot at the scene and died in hospital. Two other civilians were shot, one of whom is in critical condition.
According to police, the scene is completely under control. Rapid response forces, including the FBI, were immediately deployed. Police cordoned off a large area around Park Avenue from 51st to 52nd Streets, asking people in nearby buildings to stay indoors and away from windows.
Some people were evacuated.
Several office workers in a nearby building said they heard an announcement over the intercom telling them to “stay put and stay away from the windows.” Kathleen Benanti, who witnessed the incident, said: “I survived 9/11 and today felt like a re-activation of that memory. I was scared, but I am safe now.”
New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams have been notified and are advising people to stay away from the area until further notice.
Police are continuing to comb the building to ensure there are no other threats and are investigating the motive for the attack. Officials say the death toll could rise as the building is further searched.
(Source: NBC, New York Post)
