What started as just another busy Monday evening in New York quickly turned into a terrifying scene in the heart of Manhattan.
Employees working at the NFL headquarters and nearby offices were suddenly thrown into a lockdown after an armed man stormed into their building with a high-powered rifle.
NFL Staff Ordered to Hide as Security Sends Urgent Alert
As news of an active shooter spread, a security alert was sent to everyone inside the building that houses the NFL’s main offices.
Staff were instructed to shelter in place.
The message was blunt and chilling:
“Do not exit the building. Secure your location and hide until law enforcement clears your floor.
Please switch phones to silent.”
The building, located at 365 Park Avenue, is also home to big names like Blackstone, Deutsche Bank, JP Morgan, and the Irish Consulate.
It was chaos as floors went silent, lights dimmed, and people scrambled to hide.
Gunman Kills Police Officer and Wounds Six Others in Brutal Midtown Shooting
According to officials, the shooter — believed to be a 27-year-old man from Las Vegas — entered the lobby just after 6:30pm wielding an assault-style rifle fitted with a silencer.
Tragically, he gunned down a police officer and injured at least six more people before reportedly turning the weapon on himself.
The shooter was found dead on the 33rd floor from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Authorities confirmed he acted alone, and the building has since been secured.
Eyewitnesses Share Shocking Images of the Shooter
Images shared on social media show the gunman calmly walking through the area in a sport coat and button-down shirt, all while holding a large assault rifle.
Witnesses described the moment as “surreal” — like something out of a movie, but terrifyingly real.
Police Commissioner Confirms the Shooter Has Been Neutralized
In an evening update, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch assured the public that the threat had been “neutralized” and the immediate area was “contained.”
Still, people were urged to stay away from East 52nd Street, between Park Avenue and Lexington Avenue, as investigators worked through the night.
SWAT Teams Storm Building and Take Two Others Into Custody
Video footage captured by bystanders showed heavily armed officers storming the building with weapons drawn.
Amid the chaos, two people — a man and a woman — were taken into custody at the scene.
The woman appeared to have a head injury, while the man reportedly shouted, “Free Palestine, I’m not the active shooter,” as police detained him.
It remains unclear what role, if any, the pair played in the incident.
Leaders Respond and Urge Public to Stay Safe
New York Governor Kathy Hochul confirmed she had been briefed on the situation, and Mayor Eric Adams urged everyone in the area to take shelter and avoid venturing outdoors if near Park Avenue and East 51st Street.
Safety remained the top priority as police and FBI agents secured the building.
NFL Yet to Issue Public Statement Amid Lockdown
As of now, the NFL has not released an official comment on the incident, though DailyMail.com has reached out for a statement.
The league’s headquarters are located on the fifth floor of the targeted building, and it’s believed dozens of employees were present at the time.
Investigation Underway as Motive Remains Unclear
Law enforcement continues to search for answers, including what led the shooter to carry out such a violent act in one of the busiest parts of Manhattan.
While his identity and background are being examined, investigators have not confirmed a motive.