New York City police responded on Monday evening to reports of an armed suspect on Park Avenue in Manhattan. The gunman later died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Two senior New York City officials told NBC News that at least one police officer and another person were shot.
A police official speaking to CNN said one person is in critical condition and the officer, who was shot in the back, is expected to survive.
Video showed a man with a long rifle walking into a building on Park Avenue.
Jessica Tisch, New York City police commissioner, confirmed that “the lone shooter has been neutralized”.
The city’s FBI field office confirmed in a social media post it was providing support to an “active crime scene”. Officials were warning those in the vicinity to shelter-in-place.
Police warned people to avoid the area in a social media post shortly before 7pm ET.
Eric Adams, the New York mayor confirmed the active shooter and urged precaution.
“New Yorkers: there is an active shooter investigation taking place in midtown right now,” Adams wrote in a post. “Please take proper safety precautions if you are in vicinity and do not go outside if you are near Park Avenue and East 51st Street.”
Photographs show people exiting the building around 7pm ET with hands raised.
In a social media postUS attorney general Pam Bondi said that the US attorney for the southern district of New York has “set up a command post”, and that “local FBI agents are on the scene.”
US House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries expressed his concern over the “horrific shooting”, and said that he was “praying hard” for the NYPD officer.
“May God watch over our city during this challenging moment,” Jeffries wrote in a post.
The office building at 345 Park Avenue occupies an entire city block and houses the corporate offices for the National Football League and the headquarters of investment firm Blackstone. It also holds offices for JPMorgan Chase.
According to an ESPN reporter, Jeff Darlingtonan NFL security alert was sent to employees: “Do not exit the building. Secure your location and hide until law enforcement clears your floor. Please switch phones to silent.”
