Two die as fired worker goes on gun rampage

A man fatally shot a former colleague near the Empire State Building and then was killed by police in a gun battle that wounded nine bystanders outside one of New York’s most popular landmarks.

The wounded are all expected to survive.

Officials said Jeffrey Johnson, 58, a fashion accessories designer, was angry after being fired a year ago from Hazan Imports, located near the Empire State Building. Shortly after 9am (2pm Irish time) he shot a 41-year-old former Hazan co-worker three times at close range with a .45-calibre handgun.