A New York police officer is one of four people killed in a shooting inside Midtown Manhattan.
The police said that the shooter had entered the office building on Monday evening with an MR rifle in sight before spraying balls in the hall and upper floor. He then committed suicide.
The shooting – in the center of the most populous American city – sent pedestrians who covered themselves while the police warned against an active shooter around 1830 he. Those inside the building covered themselves with gunshots echo – some even piles sofas and chairs against the doors while they were hiding in the offices.
According to the police, the suspect, Shane Devon Tamura, 27, traveled from Las Vegas, but a reason is not clear.
Among the people killed was the New York officer Didarul Islam, who worked in the building security at the time of the attack. The other three victims have not yet been identified.
New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the suspect had entered the building at 345 Park Avenue, which houses companies such as the National Football League (NFL) and the Blackstone Investment Management Society, and immediately opened fire.
He fatally killed Mr. Islam in the building hall, then targeted a woman who hid behind a pillar. He crossed the hall, “spraying” it with gunshots, hitting several people – including a security guard hiding behind a desk and another man nearby.
CBSWhile waiting for an elevator, a woman came out, but the shooter spared him and let him pass, said Commissioner Tisch.
He went to the 33rd floor – where the management of Ruden Building is located – and once again opened fire – killing a person before going down in a corridor and shooting herself in the chest, she added at a press conference on Monday evening.
The authorities are not sure of a reason, although Tisch noted that the shooter had “documented the history of mental health”.
Mr. Tamura has traveled from Las Vegas to the east coast in recent days, stopping in Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa and New Jersey. He arrived in New York shortly before the shooting. We do not know if he has links with New York, the building or management of Ruden Building.
Police searched the suspect’s BMW, which he had played double in front, and found several magazine rounds and a revolver. The vehicle was recorded in Nevada to Mr. Tamura, who owned a firearm recorded in the state.
NYPDLocal authorities and authorities celebrated the Islam officer on Monday evening. “He died as he lived – a hero,” said Ms. Tisch.
Officer of the department for three years, agent Islam was an immigrant from Bangladesh. He and his wife have two children and his wife is currently pregnant with their third child.
“He was going to work that we asked him to do,” said Ms. Tisch. “He made the ultimate sacrifice.”
The incident arrested parties of Midtown Manhattan and public transport. A BBC journalist on the scene reported having seen dozens of police vehicles and at least one person with a bloody trunk removed on a stretcher.
Passers -by said they heard what looked like shots and police who said to those in the region, including the BBC journalist, to take shelter in neighboring buildings.
The police worked on the ground per floor to clean the building, an effort that took hours.
Mama Bouhennni, working at the SIP & SCOOP cafe nearby while the incident took place, told the BBC that she had seen dozens of people from the surrounding buildings evacuated.
They held their hands above their heads, she said.
Ms. Bouhennni said she had recognized a lot as customers. “It’s so terrifying for them, I hope they can go home safely.”
Indrani Basu contributed to this report.
