OK, you reality-based self-defense experts and gurus of combat. Please explain how all this collateral damage (injuries and fatality) happened. After we get some posts, I will comment.
Professionals (like Van) not allowed to post until others register their opinion.
- Bill
Wall Street Journal wrote: Updated August 24, 2012, 2:35 p.m. ET
Two Shot Dead Near Empire State Building
Man Shoots Ex-Colleague Outside Empire State Building; 9 Bystanders Wounded
By TAMER EL-GHOBASHY, SOPHIA HOLLANDER and PERVAIZ SHALLWANI
A laid-off apparel designer allegedly gunned down a former co-worker outside the Empire State Building on Friday morning, prompting a confrontation with New York police that killed the shooter but left nine others wounded on a crowded rush-hour Manhattan sidewalk, authorities said.
The bystanders were most likely wounded by police in the 9 a.m. incident in the shadow of one of the nation's most recognizable landmarks, authorities said. All but one—a 35-year-old female tourist from North Carolina—are New York City residents. They are expected to live; six were discharged from the hospital Friday.
Tourists and harried commuters ran in fear when shots erupted in the packed Midtown district. "I heard the shooting and people started running toward here," said Mohamad Ragab, a breakfast vendor. "I jumped outside my cart to take a look. I saw one body."
New York Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly identified the gunman as Jeffrey Johnson, 58, a Manhattan man who was fired about a year ago as a designer at a women's apparel firm, Hazan Import Corp., on West 33rd Street across from the Empire State Building. The victim was identified as Steven Ercolino, 41, a Hazan account executive, by his sister-in-law.
Authorities said Mr. Johnson blamed Mr. Ercolino for the loss of his job, accusing him of not doing enough to sell the T-shirts and women's accessories that Mr. Johnson designed. A building official said the men once had a physical altercation in the building, and Mr. Kelly said the two men had filed formal harassment complaints against each other in April 2011.
Dressed in an olive-green suit and tie and carrying a black bag, Mr. Johnson hid behind a van outside the firm's office, then approached Mr. Ercolino and shot him once in the head with a .45 caliber semiautomatic handgun, authorities said. Mr. Johnson then stood over the body and shot several more times, authorities said. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.
Mr. Johnson walked "very calmly" away from the scene, said police spokesman Paul Browne, but was followed by two construction workers who called for help to two police officers posted at the front entrance of the Empire State Building. The officers confronted Mr. Johnson, who took out his gun and pointed it at them from a distance of about eight feet, authorities said.
"He had the gun out and he pointed it right at them," Mr. Kelly said, citing surveillance video. Officers "returned fire when he pointed the gun at them." The officers fired a total of 16 rounds, striking Mr. Johnson at least seven times and killing him, authorities said. Police were still investigating whether Mr. Johnson fired at the officers.
According to his online LinkedIn profile, Mr. Ercolino worked at Hazan Import since December 2005. "He had an incredible life ahead of him. He was an incredible person," said a woman who identified herself as his sister-in-law, Andrea.
Mr. Johnson was a Coast Guard veteran, serving from 1973 to 1977 with an honorable discharge, the Coast Guard said. A law-enforcement official said Mr. Johnson had no prior criminal record. Neighbors said he lived alone in an apartment with his cats. He bought the Spanish-made .45 semiautomatic handgun legally in 1991 in Florida, but wasn't licensed to possess the weapon in New York City, the official said. Mr. Johnson was carrying an extra magazine of ammunition in his bag, the official said.
A Hazan employee who answered the phone at the office Friday declined to comment. Malkin Holdings, the controlling owner of the Empire State Building, said the building remained open throughout the day.
—Jennifer Maloney, Laura Kusisto and Andrew Grossman contributed to this article.
First I hesitate to comment on an article that says "The bystanders were most likely wounded by police." That being said, in the fog of war things are seen differently. As someone who has some law enforcement experience, I can tell you that, when a firearm is pointed at you from eight feet, everything looks different. Tunnel vision sets in, survival sets in, and all you see is the barrel of that gun pointing at you (at least in the first second or two). And from eight feet you're luck to have a second or two to react. In their minds (speculation only) these two cops could either allow themselves to be shot (there still being no guarantee of crowd safety) or draw and fire instantly. After that it all comes down to how good they were at the range that year qualifying.
) and none of them hit the intended target. Not sure if that was completely accurate. I also remember that we were taught to do a "double tap" and then check to see if we hit the target and neutralized it or not. I always thought that would be hard to do in the fog of war. I thought more inclined to empty my weapon and then check 
