the killer is Jeffrey Johnson, 53

Gunman Jeffrey Johnson, 53, killed one person before he was shot to death outside the busy tourist destination just after 9 a.m., Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said. The victim was Johnson's former coworker at Hazan Imports, where Johnson was a designer of women's accessories until being laid off last year.

As Johnson attempted to flee the scene, a construction worker across the street alerted two police officers, who pursued him up West 33rd Street, Kelly said. As Johnson pulled a .45 caliber gun, the officers opened fire on him.