NEW YORK (WUSA) - CBS New York reports that sources say a disgruntled worker was involved in the shooting that killed one person and wounded several others near Empire State Building at 34th Street and Fifth Avenue just after 9 a.m. Friday. Police Commissioner Ray Kelly identified the shooter as Jeffrey Johnson, who lived in Manhattan. Johnson had no criminal record, according to police.
VIDEO: Full News Conference On Shooting Near Empire State Building
Wearing a suit and tie, Johnson reportedly walked into Hazan Imports at 10 West 33rd Street where he had worked designing women's accessories before being been laid off about a year ago. He got into a dispute with a former co-worker, Steven Ercolino, and shot at the employee three times, killing him. The police commissioner said Johnson fired at close range, shooting the 41-year-old former co-worker in the head.
Johnson then put his .45 caliber handgun in a black bag he was carrying and fled, according to police.
PHOTOS: Shooting Near Empire State Building (WARNING: Some photos are graphic)
An alert construction worker reportedly followed the gunman for a block or more after the shooting and alerted police outside the Empire State Building, reports CBS New York.
The police commissioner says that the gunman took his gun from his bag to fire at them and that's when officers opened fire.
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said at least nine other victims on the street were shot but it is unclear whether they were shot by the suspect or struck by crossfire. Bloomberg said surveillance video captured the shooting between Johnson and police.
Police say everyone was shot outside the building, but some victims were reportedly found inside the lobby while some were found on the street, CBS New York reports.
According to CBS New York, seven men and two women were injured. Four of the wounded are in serious condition. Six people were taken to Bellevue Hospital and two were taken to New York-Presbyterian. All are expected to survive, says Bloomberg.
Law authorities are searching Johnson's apartment for evidence and have cordoned off the building. CBS New York says someone who is familiar with Jeffrey Johnson said Johnson went to McDonald's every day wearing the same suit he apparently wore during the shooting.
There is a large police presence and FBI at the scene.
CBS New York says Fifth Avenue is closed between 23rd Street and 42nd Street, 34th Street eastbound is closed form Park Avenue to Fifth Avenue, and 34th Street westbound is closed from Fifth to Sixth Avenue.