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Midtown Shooting Prompts Reactions from Elected Officials; Families Await News

A shooting incident in Midtown Manhattan has drawn strong reactions from political figures, while families anxiously awaited information about their loved ones in the aftermath.The event, wich occurred at Blackstone’s headquarters in Midtown, left three people critically injured, including an NYPD officer.

New York city Council Member Zohran KM Mamdani expressed his distress on X, stating, “I’m heartbroken to learn of the horrific shooting in midtown and I am holding the victims, their families, and the NYPD officer in critical condition in my thoughts.”

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries also took to X to share his reaction. “Deeply disturbed by the horrific shooting in Midtown Manhattan,” he wrote, adding, “Praying hard for the brave NYPD officer impacted and all other victims of this tragedy.”

Representative Ritchie Torres provided details on the incident, noting that the suspect critically injured three individuals, one of whom was a police officer, at the midtown Manhattan location of Blackstone. As of the reporting, police had not released further information regarding the shooting or the total number of victims. Torres commented on X, “This shocking act of terror is a grim reminder of the persistent danger posed by firearms, the hardening of hatred in our society, and the exceptional courage of the NYPD officers who risk their lives to protect the rest of us.”

Families Gathered as area Remained Secured

Several hours after the shooting,police maintained closures on multiple manhattan blocks. The affected area is characterized by numerous business offices and hotels, situated near prominent tourist attractions such as St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Trump Tower.Behind police barricades, Armand Bramellari, 36, waited for his mother, who works as a cleaner in the building where the incident took place. He reported that she was on the second floor when the shooting occurred. Upon seeing news of the event on X,he immediately went to the location to pick her up,parking his vehicle on a side street.

Bramellari expressed his confusion about how the shooter gained access to the building, which typically requires a badge or security clearance for entry.He shared his family’s journey to the United States, noting they arrived through a lottery system his mother entered. “she brought us here, and she’s got to die at work?” he questioned.Shortly thereafter, his mother emerged with a group of women. Bramellari passed an NYPD barricade to embrace his mother and the others before they proceeded to his car on a side street.In the surrounding area, pedestrians moved freely on open streets while police officers were present, occasionally redirecting bicycle delivery workers to choice routes.

Contributing reporting by Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY.
(This story was updated to include video.)