A New York Police Department officer has died after a gunman armed with an assault rifle opened fire inside a prestigious Manhattan skyscraper on Monday evening, leaving multiple people wounded before taking his own life.
The shooter, wearing a bulletproof vest and carrying a long rifle, stormed the lobby of 345 Park Avenue on East 52nd Street shortly before 7pm, unleashing chaos in the heart of Midtown Manhattan’s corporate district.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch confirmed at approximately 8pm that the “lone shooter has been neutralized” and the scene had been contained, though multiple law enforcement sources reported the gunman died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Officer Among Casualties
A police officer from a Bronx precinct who was on post near the building when the shooting began was shot in the back and initially reported to be in critical condition. Law enforcement officials have since confirmed the officer died from their injuries.
At least two civilians were also wounded in the attack. One civilian remains in critical condition, whilst another is expected to survive, according to senior law enforcement officials who briefed CNN.
The gunman was reportedly found dead on an upper floor of the 634-foot skyscraper after barricading himself inside following the initial shootout.
Prestigious Corporate Target
The attack occurred at one of Manhattan’s most prestigious corporate addresses, home to investment giant Blackstone, the National Football League headquarters, and offices for accounting firm KPMG. The building also houses a Bank of America branch and the Consulate General of Ireland.
Witnesses reported hearing what sounded like automatic weapon fire echoing through the area around 51st Street and Park Avenue.
“It sounded like a barrage of shots… Like an automatic weapon. Like a high-capacity weapon,” one witness told the New York Post.
Massive Police Response
The shooting prompted a Level 3 mobilisation, one of the highest emergency alerts, bringing counter-terrorism units, bomb squads, and heavy weapons teams to the scene.
Hundreds of office workers were ordered to shelter in place inside the skyscraper as elite units systematically cleared each floor searching for the gunman.
Video footage captured by Fox 5 showed officers carrying a bloodied victim whilst others tended to a person lying on the ground outside the building.
City on Alert
Mayor Eric Adams issued an urgent warning on X (formerly Twitter): “New Yorkers: there is an active shooter investigation taking place in Midtown right now. 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.”
The NYPD closed East 52nd Street between Park Avenue and Lexington Avenue, warning of significant delays and emergency vehicle activity in the surrounding area.
Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Kaz Daughtry urged residents to stay indoors, whilst New York Governor Kathy Hochul confirmed she had been briefed on the situation.
Federal Support
The FBI New York Field Office deployed agents to provide support at what Deputy Director Dan Bongino described as an “active crime scene in Manhattan.
The building, which occupies an entire city block, is one of only 41 New York City buildings with its own postcode, underlining its significance in the city’s corporate landscape.
Investigation Ongoing
Police have not yet officially identified the gunman or established a motive for the attack. The suspect’s identity and any potential connection to the building or its occupants remain under investigation.
The NYPD bomb squad remained on scene Monday evening as investigators processed what Commissioner Tisch described as a “contained” crime scene.
This marks the latest in a series of high-profile shootings in major American cities, raising renewed concerns about security at corporate offices and public spaces.
The attack disrupted one of Manhattan’s busiest commercial districts during the Monday evening rush hour, with witnesses describing scenes of panic as workers fled the area or took shelter inside nearby buildings.
Multiple businesses within 345 Park Avenue, including Blackstone, KPMG, Bank of America, and the building’s owner Rudin Management, have not yet responded to requests for comment about the incident.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
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