Gunman shoots two at NY City Hall

Two police officers have been shot at New York's City Hall as a man with a handgun fired inside the building.

Shots rang out this afternoon at City Hall, sending workers diving for cover beneath their desks.

The mayor was in his first floor office and was not harmed, said his spokesman, Edward Skyler.

The shots were fired shortly after 7pm Irish time, apparently on the second floor of the building in lower Manhattan. About a dozen shots rang out.

Police officers, including some in riot gear, were seen running across the plaza in front of the building once the shooting stopped. It was not immediately known if the gunman was in custody.

The City Council was holding a meeting at the time, but it was unclear if the shooting was related to the session.