8 hours ago
5
BBC
Authorities have "neutralised" a suspect in a shooting inside a Midtown Manhattan office building.
New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the building has been secured and a lone suspect has been neutralized.
Authorities had responded to a shots fired call at 345 Park Avenue on Monday evening and officers worked floor-by-flood to clear the skyscraper.
A BBC News editor near the scene reported seeing scores of police vehicles and at least one person with a bloodied chest being taken away. It is unclear how or where they were injured.
A man near the scene was also seen being placed in handcuffs by police, though it's unclear whether he was involved in the incident.
New York police urged the public to avoid the area.
The high rise reportedly houses many businesses, including the National Football League (NFL) and the investment management company Blackstone.
The FBI also was reporting to the scene.
"FBI New York Field Office management personnel and agents are responding to provide support at the active crime scene in Manhattan," Dan Bongino, deputy director of the agency, said.
A BBC news editor who was in the area around 18:45 reported seeing multiple police and fire vehicles in the area before seeing a man being wheeled away from the building on a stretcher. He had bandages on his chest.
Bystanders at the scene reported hearing what sounded like gunshots and police told those in the area, including the BBC editor, to shelter in nearby buildings.
Mama Bouhenni, who was working at the nearby Sip & Scoop coffee shop as the incident unfolded, told the BBC she dozens of people from the surrounding buildings being evacuated.
They held their hands above their heads, she said.
Ms Bouhenni said she recognised many of them as her customers. "This is so terrifying for them, I hope they can go home safe."
