Chaos erupted in Midtown Manhattan after a gunman opened fire inside a high-rise office building, leaving a police officer and at least two civilians wounded before being fatally shot, authorities confirmed.
The Shooting Unfolds
The incident began shortly after 3 PM when shots rang out in a Midtown skyscraper, sending workers scrambling for cover. Witnesses reported hearing “five or six loud bangs” as police stormed the building in response to active shooter calls.
Police Response
NYPD officers engaged the suspect on an upper floor, ultimately fatally shooting him during a tense standoff.
“This was a fast-moving, dangerous situation,” said a police spokesperson. “Thanks to our officers’ quick actions, more lives were not lost.”
A police officer was shot during the confrontation but is expected to survive. Two civilians were also hit by gunfire and rushed to nearby hospitals in serious but stable condition.
Motive Under Investigation
The identity of the gunman has not yet been released, and investigators are working to determine his motive. Early reports suggest the suspect may have targeted an office tenant in the building, though police have not confirmed this.
Witnesses Describe Panic
Workers described scenes of chaos as alarms blared and people fled stairwells.
“We didn’t know if it was fireworks or gunshots. Then we saw police running in with rifles,” said one witness.
What’s Next
Authorities say there is no ongoing threat to the public, but the area remains cordoned off as detectives investigate.
