Update 3: Yep, the NY Daily News Confirms it was the cops who shot all the bystanders. Jeffrey Johnson shot one person, the police shot the other nine. Police *claim* Johnson pointed his handgun at them, they fired 16 times hitting Johnson 7 times and the remaining bullets hit nine other people.
(Via NY Daily News) A fired employee murdered a hated co-worker on a packed Midtown sidewalk before dying in spray of police bullets that left nine bleeding bystanders sprawled Friday outside the Empire State Building, authorities said.
Cold-blooded killer Jeffrey Johnson, wearing a business suit and carrying a briefcase, pumped five fatal bullets into his victim near the 33rd St. entrance to the skyscraper, a witness told the Daily News.
Johnson, 53, after casually strolling from the murder scene, was shot to death within minutes in a wild Fifth Ave. free-for-all with cops that sent tourists and pedestrians diving for cover.
Nine other people were wounded, none too seriously, before the shooting stopped just after 9 a.m. near the main Fifth Ave. entrance to the iconic building.
Two officers fired 16 rounds at Johnson from about eight feet away after the gunman pointed his weapon at the pair, police said.
The gunman was struck seven times, with the other bullets and bullet fragments hitting the innocent victims. It appears Johnson never squeezed off a shot at the cops.
Mayor Bloomberg credited a construction worker with identifying the wandering killer to the cops, preventing any additional bloodshed. The killer was carrying an extra magazine of ammunition inside his briefcase. (continue reading)
UPDATE 1 : Shoooter Jeffrey Johnson, 53 years old was a former employee of Hazan Imports a womens clothing accessory company. Used .45 caliber handgun. First victim 41-year-old male former co-worker. Two dead (including victim). Nine wounded – None Critically. Shooter lived in Manhattan. Just happenchance the shooting ocurred in front of Empire State building, not related.
Disgruntled employee who was fired went on a shooting spree at the Empire State Building. Two killed, numerous wounded (up to 10). Two cops shot some bystanders accidentally during the crossfire. Shooter dead – suicide by cop.
Mayor “no guns” Bloomberg delivered live Presser at 11:30 am.
The story has been non stop all day on CNN and other networks….. meanwhile last night in Chicago:
19 people wounded in shootings across Chicago on Thursday and Friday
Eight victims were gunned down on a single street on Thursday night, while five others were wounded in separate shootings within the same 30-minute span.
CHICAGO (Sun-Times Media Wire) – CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE: Eight people, ranging in age from 14 to their early 20s, were wounded Thursday night in a drive-by shooting in the South Shore neighborhood, officials said.
The shooting occurred about 9:13 p.m. in the 7800 block of South Essex Avenue, and involved two factions of the Black P. Stones that haven been fighting for about a month, according to police.
Eight people – ranging in age from 14 to 28 – were wounded in the shooting, and taken to area hospitals. (continue reading)