Several people have been shot, at least two fatally, in a police-involved shooting outside the Empire State Building this morning. Early police scanner reports indicated the shooting was related to a robbery but it now appears it may have been a workplace dispute. The gunman was fatally shot by the police. A innocent woman also appears to have been killed in the crossfire. According to the FDNY there are “several” people being taken to nearby hospitals while they mitigate the scene.
The shooting began just after 9 a.m. Exactly how many people were shot is still unclear but appears to be between 8 and 10. At 9:44 a.m. it came over the news scanners that the perp may be a recently fired worker who returned to the building where he had worked. According to one person who claims to be a witness the shooter had a specific target:I was about 50 feet away from the guy who was killed, and it was definitely a targeted shooting. Apparently he walked right up to the guy and shot him in the head. I was one of the first there, thinking I could take my jacket off to help the guy who was shot, but he was gone already.
Just FYI, this has nothing to do with the ESB. It just happens to be right across the street from where it occurred. Its not a shooting that took place in the building, or some kind of terrorist activity. Just stating this because some would assume its a guy who opened fire in a tourist attraction, and that was not the case.
ABC7 reports that at least one victim was shot in a nearby Duane Reade when a bullet went through a window. Reportedly, “Some shooting victims were found inside the lobby of the Empire State Building, others found outside.””The shot rang out, and everybody started running,” one witness told the News. “Oh man, there must have been 12 or 13 shots. It was amazing.”Meanwhile, the Empire State Buildings observatory is open to the public.Bloomberg is now on the scene and expected to speak at 11 a.m. Stay tuned for updates.
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more:Multiple People Shot, At Least Two Dead, Outside Empire State Building: Gothamist.
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Extremely sad situation. Why is this happening at such high profile locations? Almost feels like something is trying to enter into the atmosphere. Whatever it is, it isnt good. If this is something more than just physical and there really is a spirit realm, then what can we do to protect ourselves?
Wait a second, this is happening right next to where the Fashion week is taking place. Why does evil seem to always know how to manifest in the most key locations?