Just after 9 this morning a man fired shots around the Empire State Building.  There is no connection to terrorism; the gunman is said to have been an employee at a Midtown store.  He returned to the store at 10 W 33rd Street and shot and killed his manager before firing on the street.  The gunman was shot and killed by NYPD, 9 people were injured.  Mayor Bloomberg just arrived on the scene and a press conference is scheduled for 11 am.

5th Avenue is now closed from 23rd-42nd Street; 34th street is closed from Park to 6th Avenue.  There are bus delays on the M1, M2, M3, M4, M34, and Q32 lines.  Plan accordingly.

Update, 2:35 pm: Tipster Sarba B sends the following photo from the scene.