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A gunman shouting “Kill me!” opened fireplace from the steps of New York City’s Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine simply after an outside choir efficiency there on Sunday, and was himself shot dead by police, in keeping with police and a Reuters photographer at the scene.
No one else was struck by gunfire due to fast motion by three officers on the scene who confronted the suspect, New York City Police Commissioner Dermot Shea informed reporters following the late-afternoon violence on Manhattan’s Upper West Side.
Shea stated police fired a complete of 15 rounds at the suspect. Police recovered two semiautomatic handguns from the scene, and a bag apparently belonging to the suspect that contained a full can of gasoline, rope, wire, a number of knives, a Bible and tape, in keeping with Shea. “I think we can all surmise the ill intentions of the proceeds of this bag,” he added.
The taking pictures occurred outdoors the landmark cathedral for the Episcopal Diocese of New York, situated at Amsterdam Avenue and West 112th Street, about 15 minutes after the conclusion of an outside choir efficiency on the church steps attended by about 200 individuals.The choir’s annual Christmas vacation live performance had been moved outdoors consistent with COVID-19 well being security guidelines.
“The performers and most of the audience had either gone inside the church or left before the shooting began”, Shea stated. Only about 15 individuals had been nonetheless current when the gunman appeared at the highest of the steps, screaming, “Kill me,” and “shoot me,” as he fired a handgun, sending bystanders operating for canopy in panic, in keeping with a Reuters photographer who was on the scene.
Police officers who had taken cowl ordered the suspect a number of instances to drop his weapon earlier than taking pictures him, the photographer stated. Members of the choir had been already again contained in the church by the time of the taking pictures, which lasted a number of minutes, she stated.
“Thankfully, this year with COVID, there was a much smaller event than normal,” Shea stated at the scene. “It is by the grace of God today that we don’t have anyone struck.”
Reuters images of the gunman confirmed him carrying a black winter coat, a white baseball-style cap and a face masks emblazoned with the flag of the Dominican Republic, as he stood wielding two pistols, one in every hand.
He additionally was carrying a big backpack strapped to his shoulders.Footage from native information media confirmed police looking out a automotive parked close by as properly. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio stated on Twitter that “quick action of our NYPD officers kept the crowd safe.”
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