Four people, including an NYPD officer, were killed in a mass shooting Tuesday evening at a high-rise office building in Midtown Manhattan. The shooter, who authorities say acted alone, was also found dead from what appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The shooting happened inside 345 Park Avenue, a 634-foot skyscraper housing major corporate offices just blocks from Grand Central Station. Law enforcement officials said the gunman entered the building carrying a long gun and immediately exchanged fire with an NYPD officer in the lobby around 6:40 p.m.
The officer, who was off duty and working security, was shot in the back and died at the scene. Three other victims were also killed before the gunman made his way to the 33rd floor. Officers later discovered the shooter’s body in a stairwell near a rifle.
Authorities said the gunman was a 27-year-old man from Las Vegas. He had no significant criminal history. He was originally from Hawaii and had a concealed carry permit for a handgun. His private investigator license in Nevada had expired. In his youth, he had been a competitive football player.
Police traced the shooter back to a vehicle he exited alone. Surveillance footage confirmed he entered the building by himself, carrying the weapon.
Officials described the building’s security as strong, with controlled access in the lobby. But one official noted that kind of setup is meant to deter trespassers—not someone walking in with a rifle. “It’s not going to affect someone with a large gun coming through the lobby,” the official said.
This shooting marks the 254th mass shooting in the United States this year, based on data from authorities tracking gun violence. A mass shooting is defined as an incident in which four or more people, not including the shooter, are killed or injured.
Hundreds of officers responded to the scene, along with support from federal agents. The shooter was confirmed to be acting alone, and there is no continuing threat.
The investigation is ongoing.
