MANHATTAN, NY — A mass shooting in Midtown Manhattan on Thursday left dozens of office workers stunned, sheltering in place, and questioning their safety in one of the city’s busiest commercial corridors. Authorities say the shooting happened just after 9:00 a.m. near a high-rise on 7th Avenue between 40th and 41st Streets, a stretch packed with commuters, retail shops, and office buildings.
According to Newsday, at least five people were shot — one of them fatally — after a gunman opened fire on the sidewalk. Police said the attack does not appear to be random, though a motive has not yet been released. No arrests have been made as of Friday morning.
One 38-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene. The other four victims — including two delivery workers and two office staffers — are reported to be in stable condition.
Eyewitness Accounts: “We Thought It Was Construction”
Witnesses described scenes of chaos and confusion. Dozens of employees ran from the area, while others locked themselves inside offices and stairwells.
“It sounded like popping — we thought it was construction noise,” said Helena Ortiz, who works in a third-floor office across the street. “Then we saw people screaming and running, and we dropped to the floor.”
The NYPD responded within minutes, setting up a large police perimeter and issuing shelter-in-place alerts for buildings in the immediate area.
Investigation and City Response
While the suspect remains at large, police are currently reviewing surveillance footage from at least six nearby buildings and MTA transit cameras. Initial evidence suggests the shooting may have been targeted.
Mayor Eric Adams condemned the violence during a Thursday press briefing, calling it “unacceptable” and promising to deploy more patrols in Midtown.
“We cannot normalize this kind of violence,” the mayor said. “New Yorkers deserve to go to work without fearing for their lives.”
Rising Anxiety Amid Midtown Safety Concerns
The shooting has reignited public concern over gun violence and urban safety. While overall crime in Manhattan is down, according to NYPD data cited by Newsday, incidents involving firearms in Midtown have increased 14% year-over-year.
Office tenants and managers say workers remain shaken, with some considering remote work until further notice.
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