Aspiring politician shoots rival to death in City Hall

AN aspiring politician strolled past a metal detector at tightly guarded City Hall in New York — escorted by the councilman he once hoped to replace — then pulled a gun in the crowded balcony of the council chamber and shot his rival to death.

The attack on Wednesday turned New York City's seat of government into a crime scene, with screaming political aides and terrified visitors diving for cover. A security officer fired up at the gunman, killing him with five bullets.

Councilman James Davis, 41, a former police officer and ordained minister who campaigned against urban violence, was struck several times in the torso and died at a hospital. He had planned to introduce legislation on workplace violence that afternoon.