The gunman who carried out a deadly shooting outside the Empire State Building at 9. a.m. this morning has been identified as Jeffrey Johnson. The 53-year-old man allegedly shot a former colleague to death and started firing randomly at passersby near the building.

The 41-year-old colleague was killed and nine other shooting victims are injured, but are not believed to be life-threatening.

The gunman reportedly worked at Hazan Imports, as a designer of women's accessories. He was fired from his job last year, which could have triggered him to carry out the shooting. Johnson was shot and killed by police officers who arrived at the scene within minutes.

Victims of the shooting were found in the lobby of the Empire State Building and on the streets. Witnesses of the incident were in shock.

Shortly after the deadly shootout, Mayor Michael Bloomberg held a live press conference. He offered words of comfort, saying "New York is the safest city in the country. But we are not immune to the national problem of gun violence."

The tragedy has taken place at 34th Street and Fifth Avenue. There is reportedly a street closure between 34th Street and 33rd Street, according to CBS New York.