N.Y. Councilman Dies in City Hall Gunfire

Yahoo (AP) ^ | 7/23/2003 | TIMOTHY WILLIAMS

[The_Victor]

NEW YORK - A gunman opened fire during a meeting inside City Council chambers Wednesday afternoon, killing a city councilman who has crusaded against urban violence and wounding another person.

Police swarmed the lower Manhattan neighborhood searching for the gunman. Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who was in his office during the shooting and unharmed, ruled out terrorism.

Metal detectors have been installed at either end of the plaza outside the building, along with barricades.

"We do not know how someone got a gun in the building," Bloomberg said. "Obviously, there was a breakdown someplace."

The gunman's motive was unknown, said the mayor, who confirmed that one person was killed. A city official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Brooklyn Councilman James Davis, a former police officer, was shot twice in the chest and died.

The second victim was not identified.

"It appears to be a random act, but we cannot allow this to go on, ever. This is an attack on all Americans," Bloomberg said.

Davis, 41, an outspoken presence on the council, joined the police department in 1993, 10 years after he was allegedly beaten by two white officers.

In 1991, Davis, who was black and represented Brooklyn, started "Love Yourself Stop the Violence," a not-for-profit organization dedicated to stopping violence in urban America. He was elected in 2001, and was a minister.

At least a dozen shots echoed across the second floor of City Hall, sending people diving for cover beneath their desks as the rotunda filled with screams.

"It was so loud you couldn't hear the direction," said City Council photographer Dan Luhmann. "At first, it was absolute stillness. And then people rushed out and ducked under their desks and it was chaotic."

The shooter was one of about 100 people on the balcony inside the second-floor council chambers when the gunfire erupted after 2 p.m, according to eyewitnesses.

Joel Rivera, the council's majority leader, said Davis was in the balcony talking to the shooter when the gunman "pulled out a silver gun, possibly a revolver." Rivera told CNN the shooter may have gotten into City Hall with a Davis staffer.

An emergency worker said the two victims were lying side by side in the balcony, both with bullet wounds to the chest.

Security has been stepped up at City Hall since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. In addition to the metal detectors, a uniformed police officer is posted at the gate.

Employees, reporters with current press passes and police officers are not required to pass through metal detectors. It was not immediately clear how the gunman got a weapon inside.

Police were searching for a man in a blue suit in connection with the shooting, which continued for about three minutes.

[Normal4me]

How can this happen in a city that outlaws guns?

[<1/1,000,000th%]

...killing a city councilman who has crusaded against urban violence and wounding another person.

Sounds like it comes from Monty Python. The writer must be a publik skool grad.

Seriously though, this is a tragedy.

[mabelkitty]

This is so obvious a cover-up. Make it random so they can squeeze more Fed money.

This was an assasination!

[Joe Brower]

"Is there an annual 'Yogi Berra' award given out?"

I don't know, but hearing about this sort of thing is like deja vu all over again. $;-)

[Guillermo]

What he's not telling us is that the shooter looked like a Muslim.

[justshutupandtakeit]

It is an attack on all Americans. Those attacking representative government are attacking us all.

[joesnuffy]

This is an attack on all Americans," Bloomberg said.

No it wasnt -it was an attack on an unarmed American who wasnt allowed to defend himself- ...thanks to guys like you...

[Sloth]

Probably so. "We don't know what the motive was, but the gunman was wearing a turban, so we can definitely rule out terrorism."

[ArGee]

A gunman opened fire during a meeting inside City Council chambers Wednesday afternoon, killing a city councilman who has crusaded against urban violence and wounding another person.

This is sloppy reporting. Who is this person the councilman was crusading against wounding, and why was this person so important?

Shalom.

[sgtbono2002]

I just heard the guy was an ex cop who knew the guys at the metal detector.

[nothingnew]

I heard a second person is dead in the shooting.

Yeah, that's what Hannity just reported via Curtiss Sliwa.

FMCDH

[justshutupandtakeit]

Really? That would answer some questions.

[Capt. Tom]

No it's not, it's an attack on the government in New York City. Get a clue Bloomberg, you don't represent me or anyone else outside of your city you moron.

You beat me to it.

In my youth people were shot and killed on a regular basis, and it was no big deal. A gas station robbery turned into the attendant being shot etc. Just statistics thousands shot and killed. No big deal or clamor over it. Just a way of life in America.

Then sacred cows (politicians), like John and Robert Kennedy , Gov Wallace, Alabama, Ronald Reagan and others like Harvey Milk were shot, and all of a sudden the situation is disasterous because people who count are at risk.

It is very serious in NY because Bloomberg could have ben shot. - Tom

[nothingnew]

Just heard on Hannitty via Sliwa that Davis shot his attacker and both are dead.

FMCDH

[samuel_adams_us]

Is that what this guy was attacking or was he aiming for one individual? Was he attacking government or a human?

[Palladin]

Can this be rue? A NYC councilman was allowed to carry a concealed weapon into a meeting at City Hall? This does not ring true.

[justshutupandtakeit]

Not clear, but shooting someone in a government legislative body is an attack on representative government. If he were shot wandering down the street or in his home that would be different.

[INSENSITIVE GUY]

ANOTHER BIG SUCCESS FOR GUN CONTROL!

[brydic1]

Let's get this clear. A strong anti-violence, anti-gun advocate and city councilman escorts an armed thug into the NYC City Hall and then the thug attacks the councilman (the anti-gun advocate) after which the councilman (the anti gun advocate) pulls out his piece and proceeds to shoot back and both are now dead. What total hypocrisy. This is the story on MSNBC.

[MEG33]

Police killed the shooter.It was an assassination (Planned to create the most publicity.)He walked in with the councilman..got by with gun.