'So terrifying' - New Yorkers describe scrambling for cover in rush-hour shooting

July 29, 2025

After a gunman killed four people at a 44-story office building in Midtown Manhattan on Monday evening, workers and bystanders experienced panic and fear throughout the area. People evacuated from 345 Park Avenue, which houses offices for the NFL, Blackstone, and KPMG, with many fleeing with their hands above their heads while others barricaded themselves in nearby rooms. Witnesses described hearing gunshots, seeing shattered glass, and observing at least one injured man seeking help after being shot.

Who is affected

Office workers in the 345 Park Ave building and surrounding buildings
Bystanders and pedestrians in Midtown Manhattan
Employees of organizations housed in the building (NFL, Blackstone, KPMG)
At least one injured man who was shot
Four people who were killed
Witnesses like Nekeisha Lewis, Jessica Chen, and Anna Smith
Local business workers like Mama Bouhenni

What action is being taken

Police are securing the area with scores of police vehicles present
Medical personnel are treating victims, with at least one person with a bloodied chest being taken away on a stretcher
Police are instructing people in the area to shelter in nearby buildings
Building evacuations are being conducted with people leaving with hands above their heads

Why it matters

The shooting resulted in four deaths in a busy commercial area of Manhattan
The incident affected a major office building housing significant organizations including the NFL and financial giants
The shooting created widespread panic and disruption in a densely populated business district of New York City
The violence exposed vulnerabilities in a high-profile building and prompted emergency security measures

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC