Bloomberg Confirms: One Dead, Bystanders Accidentally Shot By Police In Workplace Shooting

New York City’s Mayor Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Ray Kelly have given a press conference to confirm the details of today’s shooting at the Empire State Building in Manhattan.

Bloomberg and Kelly have confirmed a significant amount of information about the shooting, including the fact that several civilians may have been caught in the crossfire between New York City Police Officers and the suspect, identified as Jeffrey Johnson, 53.

Johnson was downsized from the company in which he worked as an accessory designer, Hazen Imports. The layoff that sparked the shooting, in which a co-worker of Johnson’s died, is said to have occurred last year.

Mayor Bloomberg is currently answering questions, but explains that little information is available about Johnson and his history, as the investigation is currently in its preliminary stages.

Reports have asked the Mayor whether reports some civilians have returned fire during the shootout, perhaps leading to further casualties, but Bloomberg confirms that there is “no evidence” anyone but the shooter and NYPD officers fired any bullets.

Bloomberg and Kelly also say that it is likely all wounded in the shooting will survive, and that victims were taken to two hospitals.

As the press conference concluded, Mayor Bloomberg reiterates that little is currently known about the shooter and the shooting, and that information will be released throughout the day from One Police Plaza. Investigators are currently looking into Jeffrey Johnson and the shooting itself, but little is known except for the fact that he shot a former co-worker in the head.

In the gunfire on the street between Jeffrey Johnson and the NYPD officers, seven men and two women are said to have been hit, all are likely to survive their injuries.