There was a deadly shooting rampage Tuesday morning in Midtown Manhattan that killed four people, including an off-duty police officer, which authorities are calling a targeted act of violence in a corporate office building. The suspected gunman later took his own life, police confirmed.
The attack occurred around 10:30 a.m. on the 22nd floor of the Solara Building at 7th Avenue and West 45th Street in a densely populated commercial area teeming with office workers and tourists. NYPD Commissioner Linda Morales stated that the gunman came into the office carrying a handgun and opened fire on specific individuals before sealing himself in a conference room and taking his own life.
Among the victims was a 32-year-old off-duty NYPD police officer who was allegedly at the office visiting one of the company employees. The remaining victims are two company employees and one visiting customer. Their names are not being released until notification is made to their families.
“We think that this was not a senseless act of violence,” Commissioner Morales said in a press conference. “Initial evidence suggests that it was a workplace conflict or personal vendetta, but the investigation continues.”
The NYPD acted swiftly, evacuating the building within minutes and cordoning off the area. SWAT officers later discovered the gunman had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The authorities have yet to release the suspect’s name but confirmed that he had previous ties to the firm.
Dazed witnesses described scenes of chaos as alarms blared and people fled the building. “There was screaming, people running downstairs,” said Erin McCall, a worker in an adjacent building. “We didn’t know what was happening. It was horrifying.”
Mayor Eric Adams issued a condolence statement to the victim’s families and praised the quick response of the police. “This tragic loss of life, especially one of our own, is devastating. We stand with the NYPD and all the affected.”
Grief counselors are being made available to the building staff, and police are reviewing security tapes and interviewing witnesses in an effort to outline the full details of the tragedy.
This is one of the worst office building shootings in New York City in several years, joining calls for increased security in office buildings and continued controversy over gun violence and mental illness.
Further information will be released as the investigation continues.
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