11 Shot, 2 Dead, Including Gunman, In Front Of Empire State Building

Disgruntled former employee Jeffrey Johnson opened fire in front of the Empire State Building this morning, killing one of his ex co-workers. Nine people were wounded or grazed in the resulting crossfire between Johnson and the police, though some may have been accidentally shot by police officers, said Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

CNN reports:

A security guard chased the gunman down 5th Avenue and helped alert police, who shot the man at least three times, witnesses said.

The man had opened fire with a large gun, they said….

The White House said top aides told President Barack Obama about the shooting around 9:30 a.m. The shooting does not appear to be linked to terrorism, authorities said.

Local and federal authorities who converged on the building around 9 a.m. closed several streets around 5th Avenue and 34th Street, snarling traffic in the heart of Manhattan.

Shortly after the incident, Manhattan’s Bellevue Medical Center reported that it was treating six victims suffering from gunshot wounds, who were at the Empire State Building Friday. All the injuries were not life threatening, according to hospital spokeswoman Alice Ramos.

Johnson was a designer of women’s accessories at Hazan Imports, according to police.