Gunman dead after he opened fire Monday afternoon inside a Manhattan skyscraper, leaving several people injured in what is now being described as a chaotic and alarming attack in Midtown.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced on X that an “active shooter investigation” was underway.
According to law enforcement sources cited by The New York Post, the shooter injured at least two civilians and a police officer before retreating to the 33rd floor of the office tower, where he reportedly took his own life. Though that detail has not yet been confirmed by police, sources say the gunman was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Additional reports from FOX 5 New York suggest the total number of people shot may be as high as six.
The New York Police Department quickly responded to the situation, warning of “police activity” at 345 Park Avenue, a high-profile building that houses the headquarters of the NFL and investment giant Blackstone. NYPD urged the public to avoid the area while heavily armed officers surrounded the scene and secured the perimeter.
The initial shooting reportedly took place in the building’s lobby, according to NBC New York, sparking panic among office workers and prompting a building-wide lockdown. Eyewitnesses described the moment as surreal, with heavily armed officers rushing into the structure as frightened employees fled.
As of now, the motive remains unknown, and the NYPD has yet to release official information on the identity of the shooter. However, CNN’s law enforcement analyst John Miller described the suspect as a white male with a mustache and sunglasses.
Public transportation was also affected by the incident. Subway trains are currently bypassing the Lexington Avenue / 53rd Street station in both directions due to the ongoing investigation.
The Midtown attack raises renewed questions about security in densely populated urban centers and the growing frequency of violent incidents in areas once thought to be safe. It also highlights the ongoing challenge facing law enforcement: how to respond quickly and decisively to armed individuals in soft-target areas like office buildings, schools, and commercial spaces.
While some politicians are likely to once again call for more restrictions on firearms, others argue that the focus should be on mental health, criminal behavior, and the breakdown of urban security policies that have emboldened violent offenders.
The NYPD and the New York governor’s office have not yet issued official public statements regarding the shooter’s identity or possible motives. The building remains under lockdown as investigators comb through the scene and interview witnesses.