A disgruntled women's apparel designer shot dead a former colleague outside the Empire State Building in New York City before he was killed by police.

Nine others were hit by bullets, some possibly fired by police, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said.

Those wounded suffered minor injuries and all were expected to survive.

Police Commissioner Ray Kelly named the shooter as 53-year-old Jeffrey Johnson, who lived in Manhattan. His victim was 41 years old.

The shootout took place in the heart of Manhattan soon after 09:00 (13:00 GMT) when the area was packed with commuters and tourists.

Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said the suspect had been fired about a year ago from his job at Hazan Imports, a business located near the skyscraper.

He said the "disgruntled" worker had been armed with a .45 calibre pistol, and he fatally shot a former colleague in the head.

Commissioner Kelly said that a construction worker followed the gunman, and alerted two police officers outside the Empire State Building. There was a confrontation and the officers shot the attacker dead.

There was a heavy police presence earlier at the scene on 34th Street and Fifth Avenue, and the FBI also attended.

Television helicopters hovered overhead filming the scene, where a body could be seen covered in a white sheet.

Federal officials said the shooting was not related to terrorism.

Fifth Avenue, a major traffic artery in the city, was closed from 42nd street.

Witnesses described people running away from the scene.

An eyewitness told the New York Daily News that the gunman had been wearing a business suit and carrying a briefcase.

One woman, Aliyah Imam, told TV station Fox 5 News that the gunman was "shooting indiscriminately at people".

She said a young woman standing next to her fell to the ground after being shot.

One of New York's most popular tourist attractions, the Empire State Building is a 1,453-ft (442-metre) skyscraper, which attracts nearly four million visitors a year.

The tower also has offices and the area is bustling with workers on weekday mornings.----

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-19372533