Active shooter situation confirmed by officials from the City of New York near Park Avenue and East 51st Street on Monday evening. As law enforcement scrambled to address the situation, Mayor Eric Adams pleaded for residents to stay alert and to make precautions. Just before 7 PM ET, the NYPD sent out an alert. Because of the severity of the accident, they warned people to stay away from the scene.
A rowdy protest scene blew up right outside the corporate headquarters on 345 Park Avenue. This structure includes the corporate headquarters of the National Football League and the private equity company Blackstone. Eyewitnesses reported that individuals were leaving the building with their hands up. This increased dramatically as law enforcement units sped to the scene in response to the reports of an armed, active shooter suspect.
Video surveillance recorded a suspect entering the building carrying an AR-15 style long rifle, and increasing panic among those in the vicinity. Both fatalities were confirmed to be non-police members as reports confirmed that at least one police officer and other participant sustained gunshot wounds during the incident.
Jessica Tisch, the New York City deputy police commissioner, soon after assured the general public that “the one shooter has been neutralized.” Law enforcement acted quickly. Their response ensured we did not see further lives lost. Their actions then created a much larger panic in the city’s urban center.
Mayor Adams took to social media to inform the public, stating, “New Yorkers: there is an active shooter investigation taking place in midtown right now. Please take proper safety precautions if you are in vicinity and do not go outside if you are near Park Avenue and East 51st Street.”
In response to the alarming events, Hakeem Jeffries expressed his concern, saying, “May God watch over our city during this challenging moment.”
In the wake of the protest, police actually told people in nearby establishments to stay locked in. A statement from Jeff Darlington emphasized, “Do not exit the building. Secure your location and hide until law enforcement clears your floor. Please switch phones to silent.”
As well as paralyzing business activity, the shooting had residents on edge for days. Law enforcement remains committed to determining what led to the shooting and why the suspect targeted the individuals in the attack.