[ by Howard Haykin ] It's Never, Ever "Just Another Day" in Midtown Manhattan. Friday morning, August 24, and summer rush hour in New York City is beginning to slow at 9:15 a.m.  That of course doesn't mean things are not busy on the sidewalks around New York's Empire State Building - on Fifth Avenue between 33rd and 34th Streets.  Hundreds of tourists are lining up to take the elevators to the top of the Empire State Building, office workers are slicing through the crowds of tourists with the Starbucks coffees and iced teas, en route to their office in or near the Empire State Building. The measured frenzy of the morning is suddenly interrupted by gunfire.  An individual, who later is identified as a disgruntled employee who works in the landmark building, opened fire on the crowds of tourists and office workers, hitting perhaps 9 people;  the gunman was, himself shot by NYPD officers, and is the tenth reported victim. All told, 2 people were killed - including the gunman - and at least 8 others were wounded, in a scene that could only be described as chaotic and confusing.  The shooter, a 53-years-old fashion accessories designer who was still disgruntled over being fired a year ago, shot and killed a 41-year-old former co-worker 3 times with a .45 caliber handgun on a sidewalk near the landmark building, officials said.  Police returned fire, killing the shooter and wounding several bystanders, all of whom were expected to survive, Mayor Michael Bloomberg told a news conference. NYPD Commissioner Raymond Kelly identified the shooter as Jeffrey Johnson of Manhattan, who had worked at Hazan Imports across the street from the skyscraper. The shooting took place outdoors, at the height of the tourist season by one of New York City's most popular attractions A white tarp covered Johnson's body in front of the entrance to the office building. There was no link to the historic tower - it just happened to be next door - and Bloomberg ruled out any connection to terrorism. Aside from the above account, a Reuters reporter obtained several eye witness accounts of the shooting, under the by-line, "Rough Cut: Deadly Shooting at Empire State Building."  The reporter is Matthew Keys. Eyewitness to Reuters reporter: Heard two shots fired and saw shooter's body drop to the pavement. "it looked like he was going into the building to finish off the job. It was horrific." Reuters reporter: Sister-in-law of shooting victim says victim was getting cup of coffee at the time of the shooting, was shot in the left leg WNBC reporter: Shooting suspect  as carrying gun with eight bullets; police found another magazine with eight bullets also. Shooting suspect was also carrying a knife. Woman to Reuters reporter outside hospital: Sister-in-law was shot in left leg, is stable and will be fine. by matthew.keys 12:30 PM FDNY to WNBC: Four were women, five were men in shooting near Empire State Building (earlier post incorrectly sourced to NYPD instead of FDNY) For further details, and round-the-clock coverage of the New York's Empire State Building Shootout, go to:  [Reuters, 8/24/12].