Police Kill Gunman Outside Empire State Building

By Newsroom America Staff at 24 Aug 2012

(Newsroom America) -- A man laid off from his job shot and killed a former co-worker before being killed by NYPD officers outside the Empire State Building Friday morning, reports said.

The suspect, 53-year-old Jeffrey Johnson, was a "disgruntled former employee," said NYPD Police Commissioner Ray Kelly, who added that nine people were wounded or grazed in crossfire as officers shot Johnson.

After killing his victim, Johnson attempted to flee the scene but a construction worker alerted two officers who then pursued him down 33rd Street, said Kelly.

As the officers approached, Johnson pulled out a .45 caliber handgun and pointed it at the two officers, said the commissioner. It wasn't clear whether Johnson got off a round before he was shot.

"Some may have been accidentally shot by police officers," said Kelly.

The area of the Empire State Building, in addition to being home to the popular tourist attraction in Midtown Manhattan, is also a busy commercial district.

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