A gunman opened fire in a Manhattan skyscraper on March 15, 2024, resulting in the deaths of four individuals, including a police officer. The incident unfolded in the building located at 345 Park Avenue, which houses offices for several financial institutions, including Blackstone and KPMG. After the shooting, the assailant fatally shot himself, according to law enforcement officials.
New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch confirmed that the officer killed was a 36-year-old immigrant from Bangladesh who had served on the police force for approximately three-and-a-half years. During a press conference, New York Mayor Eric Adams described the officer as a hero and expressed condolences to his family. “No words can describe this act of evil,” Adams stated.
The gunman, believed to be acting alone, had recently traveled from Las Vegas to New York. Preliminary investigations revealed that he did not have a significant criminal history. Following the shooting, a photo of the suspect entering the building while carrying a rifle circulated in major media outlets, including CNN.
Eyewitnesses reported chaos in the area as the shooting took place. Russ McGee, who was working out in a gym adjacent to the skyscraper, described seeing a large police presence converging on the scene. “I just saw a lot of commotion and cops and people screaming,” he said. Another witness, Anna Smith, recalled hearing a loud noise and observing people running in panic.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced that agents from its New York field office were responding to assist local authorities at the scene. Many finance workers who were present during the incident reported a sense of fear and confusion as they sought safety and waited to be evacuated.
As investigations continue, officials are working to ascertain the motivations behind this tragic event. The community is mourning the loss of the police officer and the other victims, while questions about security in public spaces remain at the forefront of discussions.
