NEW YORK -
New York City officials say several people were shot outside the Empire State Building and that two people, including the gunman, are dead.
New York Police say a disgruntled former employee of Hazan Imports shot and killed a former co-worker. The shooter was identified as Jeffrey Johnson, 53. Police say he used a .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun to shoot the 41-year-old victim at close range in the head.
The victim was later identified as Steven Ercolino, a vice president of the company.
Police say Johnson had been let go from the company a year ago after working there for six years. He worked as a designer of women's accessories.
A construction worker followed Johnson as he left the shooting scene and alerted officers. As they approached Johnson, he pulled out his weapon and shot at officers. The officers returned fire, killing Johnson.
During the exchange, nine people - seven men and two women, all of whom are described as middle-aged - were wounded or grazed. None have life-threatening injuries.
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg called it a "terrible tragedy" that would have been worse if not for the heroic actions of officers and citizens.
A woman who saw the shooting outside the Empire State Building tells her mother that the gunman came from behind two cars, pulled out a gun, put it up to a former co-worker's head and shot him three times without saying a word.
Carol Timan tells The Associated Press that her daughter Irene called her minutes after the Friday morning shooting. Timan says her 35-year-old daughter worked at the same company until about two weeks ago. She says Irene Timan knew both the shooter and the victim, Steven Ercolino.
The shooting occurred at 34th Street and Fifth Avenue. The area in and around the Empire State Building remains an active crime scene.
A fire department spokesman says it received a call about the shooting just after at 9 a.m. Friday and that emergency units were on the scene within minutes.
(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
Mayor Bloomberg speaks to the media.
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