Two dead, 11 hurt in Empire State shooting spree

Two are dead, including the perpetrator, following a mass shooting outside the Empire State Building, according to the New York Police Department. At least 9 others were wounded and taken to the hospital in various conditions.

NEW YORK, NY (Catholic Online) - Police have emphasized there is no evidence to suggest terrorism as a motive, instead saying the shooter appears to have been a disgruntled man, Jeffery Johnson, 53, who had been laid off from working as a fashion accessory designer a year ago. The other victim was his intended target, a former coworker. 

After shooting his coworker, witnesses say Johnson started to leave the scene, and was followed by a construction worker who alerted officers. Police then attempted to apprehend Johnson, but he shot at them prompting them to return fire, which killed him. 

The shooting took place on the sidewalk in front of the iconic building at 9 a.m. just as office workers are tourists were crowding the area. Tourists took pictures of the scene as police asked them to stay back and allow them room to work with first responders. 

Many people say they were shaken by the incident, but calm has returned to the area as police managed to block off the area and get the victims to area hospitals. 

This is the latest mass shooting in a string of several that have occurred throughout the summer. 

UPDATE: Mayor Bloomberg says some of the victims may have been accidentally shot by police. 

UPDATE: The reports that 11 were hurt have been revised to 9.

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