BREAKING: Gun Shots heard at NYC City Hall

Shots fired at New York's City Hall


NEW YORK (AP) — A man on the second-floor balcony of City Hall pulled a handgun and began firing Wednesday afternoon, a witness said, sending people diving for cover.

Loud screaming echoed through City Hall as about a dozen shots rang out shortly after 2 p.m. One police officer at the scene said there were reports of two police officers injured, but that could not immediately be confirmed.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg was in his first floor office and was not harmed, said his spokesman, Edward Skyler.

A witness, Tom Curry, said a man pulled a handgun and began firing across at a second man. Curry, an attorney for the City Council, had no further details.

The entrances and exits to the building were sealed off, and a stretcher was rushed inside by police in flak jackets.

Police officers, including some in riot gear, were seen running across the plaza in front of the building once the shooting stopped. It was not immediately known if the shooter was in custody.

If not, who is?

http://www.ny1.com/


Wednesday, July 23, 2003
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Gunshots Fired Inside City Hall
JULY 23RD, 2003

../pp/Articles/16/31935.txt does not exist.

MORE

Two police officers injured
Mayor Bloomberg was on the FIRST FLOOR, not SECOND FLOOR where gunshots were heard. City Council Meeting in Progress at the time.

AP

Man pulled a handgun at a "man". Brooklyn Bridge Closed to Traffic.

Back with more information and links




GUNSHOTS AT CITY HALL

(1010 WINS) (NEW YORK) Gunshots have been heard at City Hall, apparently coming from the second floor of the building. The shots, fired shortly after 2 p-m, sent reporters in the press room diving for cover beneath their desks. It was unclear if
anyone was injured when about a dozen shots rang out.


http://1010wins.com/topstories/winstopstories_story_204142432.html

And police helicopters circling over Bklyn Bridge

according to reports. At least 2 wounded.

Bloomberg is a piece of s#it.

Are you insane?

There goes any moral advantage you can claim over anyone else.

Guy was on the second floor shooting across "at some guy." Not sure what this means. Reporters ducked. Bloomberg ok.

They say the perp has not bveen apprehended.

Lights and Sirens up and down the FDR and a Coast Boat underneath the Bridge. Guess he's not escaping that way.

WNBC REPORTING 2:44PM

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Councilman James Davis of Brooklyn, NY

James E. Davis is the founder of "LOVE YOURSELF" Stop the Violence, a not-for-profit, voluntarily run organization dedicated to stopping violence in urban America. His mission in life is to rid violence from urban communities. He is the Councilmember for the 35th Councilmanic District. Mr. Davis won this office in the November 2001, General Elections. He is a Minister of the Gospel and the Democratic State Committeeman (Male District Leader) for the 43rd Assembly District. Mr. Davis won this political position in the September 2000 Democratic Primary.

James E. Davis was born on April 3, 1962. He graduated from Tilden High School in 1980 and from Pace University in 1989 with a Bachelor of Arts degree.

In 1989, Mr. Davis joined the New York City Corrections Department and was assigned to Rikers Island for two years. In 1991, he became a New York City Transit police officer. In 1993, he transferred to the New York City Police Department and upon graduation was assigned to the 73rd Precinct in Brooklyn. In 1993, after several months at the 73rd Precinct, Mr. Davis transferred to the Police Academy where he was a New York State certified Social Science instructor until 1998. He was the Youth Officer at the 69th Precinct in Canarsie, Brooklyn prior to his election to the City Council.

Mr. Davis has always been conscious of the plight in urban communities. In 1988, he was a volunteer for the NAACP's Brooklyn Chapter. In his personal time, Mr. Davis organizes Stop the Violence events where the focus of his message is self-love, self-respect, respect for our communities and partnership between communities and police departments across America. The Stop the Violence events are attended by thousands of community residents and featured notable guests like three-time heavyweight boxing champion of the world, Evander Holyfield, recording superstars Salt-N-Pepa, Michael Goldstein, the Chairman of Toys "R" Us and boxing promoter Don King.

In an effort to better serve the community Mr. Davis has been seeking political office which would put him in a position allocate the resources he feels will be the most beneficial to the community. In 1998 he ran for Assemblyman for the 43rd Assembly District. In the September Democratic Primary he almost beat the incumbent and Kings County chairman. He lost to the incumbent by 5% of the vote. In the November 1998 General Election, Mr. Davis' name was erroneously placed on the ballot as a candidate for the Liberal Party. The Liberal Party had nominated Mr. Davis but he did not accept the Party's nomination. The day after November's General Election Mr. Davis was terminated from the NYPD who stated that he had violated a little known section of the City Charter which states that police officers must resign from their position within ten days of being designated a party nominee for political office. The NYPD refused to reinstate Mr. Davis even after the Board of Elections and the Liberal Party indicated that Mr. Davis' name appeared on the ballot in error. Mr. Davis took his case to court and on January 18, 2000, in a historical court decision, the State Supreme Court ordered the NYPD to reinstate Mr. Davis with full back pay plus interest and all the benefits he would have received if he were an active police officer. The judge called Mr. Davis' termination a "manifest injustice".

In October 1994, Mr. Davis approached Toys "R" Us, the largest toy retailer in the world and successfully influenced the Company to stop selling "look alike" toy guns or guns that can be modified to look like a real weapon. This accomplishment was covered by local as well as national television and radio stations, and by various newspapers, including The New York Times who covered the story in their National Report section. This initiative was undertaken because in separate incidents, two children in the New York area were shot (one fatally) by police officers who mistook the toy guns they were playing with for real weapons.

In the latter part of October 1994, James E. Davis challenged MTV's daytime/evening music format. He aggressively campaigned against the cable station for broadcasting music videos with violent images, and/or degrading lyrics between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. This challenge was undertaken because he believes that song lyrics that glorify violence have consciously, and subconsciously, influenced some of the youth of America to commit violent acts. Since this campaign, MTV publicly announced that they have made a positive change regarding the broadcasting of music videos.

The Washington Post, The New York Daily News, the New York Post, other local newspapers and the March '95 edition of Right On magazine have also featured articles on James E. Davis. In addition, Mr. Davis has had television appearances on Denise Richardson's Show on Talk Channel, FOX's Good Day New York and on Street Soldiers, hosted by Lisa Sliwa of radio station Hot 97. He also appeared on CBS' nationally aired Last Call show opposite rap group Wu Tang Clan, as well as Ed Lover and Dr. De who were the hosts of the morning show on Hot 97 radio station. Mr. Davis has also been featured on Bob Salter's show on FAN radio in New York, the Gill Gross radio show which is aired nationally, WABC, WCBS, KISS FM, WNEW, CD 101.9, WOR and on radio stations outside of the New York area.

n/t

:mad:

doesn't matter at all. Firing a gun at another person is rightfully illegal and I hope they catch the bastard and throw the book at him.If he is one of the victims, oh well, he deserves it. Screw the gun toting asshole.

I think this is especially tragic.

I would feel it was tragic if a republican councilmember were shot, too.

My point is that it's grotesque to believe that shooting political leaders of a party not your own is acceptable.

The guy got shot. Who cares what party he belongs to?

TYY

This is just awful news.

Does anybody have any ideas as to motive? Gangsta Rap hit or Gun Lobby whacko? (no offense to members of either group - just questioning)

Where ever did he get this gun from if guns are banned in the Big Apple?

They used to have an AMTRAK stop in the bridge and taxis lined up to take whoever over to the gunshops.

so reported by eyewitness...

He likes to turn up when there's been a shooting.

eom

Guns are not banned here. There are just very strict laws regulating them.

N/T

The city only issues concealed carry permits to the rich and/or influential. You have to keep your weapon disassembled in your own house. You have to have a "transportation" permit to take it from your house, straight to an "authorized" gun range.

Yeah, that's strict.

(edit) Self censoring stupid comment.

There's some heavy-duty maps showing how the guns are obtained in bulk down south then driven up in car trunks then black-market distro'd

Gun traffic is murder on N.Y.

The Empire State has some of the toughest firearms restrictions in the country, but down in Dixie, guns are as easy to buy as grits. Hence, the "iron pipeline," the nickname given to south-to-north gun-running - a very efficient operation indeed. So efficient that 90% of the firearms used in crimes in New York City come from out of state. It's time to erect a roadblock on this firearms freeway.

Until recently, most evidence about the smuggling was anecdotal. But Columbia Prof. Howard Andrews, after gaining unprecedented access to Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms records, came up with the smoking gun.

He uncovered data showing that from 1996 to 2000, a total of 13,514 crime guns were imported into New York State. About 60% of them came from Virginia, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina, states with notoriously lax gun laws. Many dealers down there couldn't care less about who buys their stock. The mentally ill, the criminally inclined, are welcomed with open, well, arms.

The gun industry says it can't crack down on crooked dealers because ATF data are not circulated outside law enforcement agencies. So, circulate it. If the information were widely publicized, manufacturers could not plead ignorance. And it would be easier for law enforcement agencies to trace weapons used in crimes.

It's time to create a paper trail outlining the history of these guns. The Police Department, for example, should go public every time it recovers a firearm used in a crime. Reveal anything and everything known about the weapon: not only its serial number, but who manufactured it and which dealer originally sold it. As well as who originally bought it. And how many times it may have changed hands.

Information is out there. In his research, for example, Andrews found that, from 1996 to 2000, a shop called Virginia Police Equipment in Richmond sold 152 guns that turned up in New York City police investigations. R&B Guns of Hampton, Va., sold 121 guns used in crimes here. If the NYPD told the world - how about posting the info on the Internet? - there'd be a growing public record that could be used to get tough on these death shops and the willfully ignorant gun manufacturers who supply them.

And, like publicizing the names of prostitutes' johns, the embarrassment factor might have an effect on local retailers. Such as the John Jovino gun shop in Little Italy, which sold 102 firearms used in crimes during the late '90s.

According to ATF statistics, about 1.2% of the nation's gun dealers sell weapons that account for 57% of all firearms used in crimes. The ATF knows who the unscrupulous dealers are. It's time that the rest of America knew, too.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ideas_opinions/story/88646p-80734c.html

Originally published on June 2, 2003

August 1, 2000



The Honorable Janet Reno

Attorney General

Department of Justice

950 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20530

Dear Attorney General Reno:

I read with great interest Deputy Attorney General Eric Holder’s June 4, 2000, announcement regarding the release of two Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) reports on Federal Firearm Offenders and Background Checks for Firearm Transfers. As you are aware, effective and timely enforcement of our nation’s federal firearms laws is of tremendous importance to the Congress. As we continue to look for effective strategies to prevent firearms from falling into the wrong hands and reduce gun violence, reports such as these are useful in evaluating the progress of the Administration on this front.

As Mr. Holder notes in his statement, "the Brady Law has stopped 536,000 felons, fugitives, domestic abusers, and other persons not legally allowed to have a gun from getting a gun." This is indeed an impressive record. The National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) is one of the most effective tools we have to crack down on gun criminals and prevent crime. However, stopping the sale of a firearm to a prohibited person is only one component of an effective strategy to reduce violent criminal behavior. Prosecuting those felons, fugitives and domestic abusers who attempt to purchase a firearm is the other half of the equation.

The BJS report on Firearm Offenders states that an average of 6,700 defendants were charged with a firearm offense in U.S. district courts between 1992 and 1999. On its face, that number of prosecutions seems incredibly low given the number of prohibited persons stopped by the instant check system. An analysis of the BJS reports confirms that the number of federal prosecutions is severely inadequate.

As you are aware, 18 U.S.C. 922(a)(6) makes the attempted purchase of a firearm by an individual who knowingly provides false information on a firearm transfer application (ATF Form 4473) a federal felony offense. In simple terms, it is a federal felony, punishable for up to ten years in prison, for felons, fugitives, domestic abusers or any other category of prohibited person to attempt to purchase a firearm if they knowingly falsify the purchase application.

Of the 204,000 attempted purchases stopped by NICS in 1999, the BJS report states that 71 percent of the rejections were for a felony conviction or indictment, 12 percent were for a disqualifying domestic violence conviction and three percent were rejected because the applicant was a fugitive from justice. Thus, 86 percent (approximately 175,440 persons) of those rejected by the instant check system had de facto committed another felony by falsifying ATF Form 4473. However, federal firearm prosecutions in aggregate totaled only 6,728. Although the report indicated the statistics for 1999 are preliminary data, that is a prosecution rate of only 3.29 percent. To put it another way, for every thirty rejected applications for a firearm transfer, there was only one prosecution.

If we are to concern ourselves with 1998, the latest year for which we have final data, the record is demonstrably worse. Of the rejected applications, totaling 90,000 in 1998, a mere 102 cases were federally prosecuted. That equates to a prosecution rate of less than one percent. Thus in 1998, for every 882 rejected applications for a firearm transfer there was only one federal prosecution. And while some have made the case that these cases are difficult to prosecute, I would note the statement of former federal prosecutor Andrew McBride of the Richmond office, now in private practice, that such cases are as easy to prosecute as "picking change up off the street."

Needless to say, these statistics are less than impressive. It is not hard to understand why this Administration has been criticized for being lax in enforcing existing federal firearm laws. In an effort to better understand why the Department of Justice is not doing more to prosecute violations of 18 U.S.C. 922(a)(6), I would appreciate your answers to the following questions:

Some of the reasons for this poor prosecutorial record are indicated in the BJS Federal Firearm Offenders report. Citing table 1,"Firearm suspects declined for prosecution by U.S. attorneys, by reason for declination, 1998," some of the reasons listed for not prosecuting known gun criminals include: minimal federal interest and DOJ/U.S. Attorney policy. I find this very curious. Please tell me:
What exactly is the policy for prosecuting violations of 18 U.S.C(a)(6)?

Why there would be a DOJ/U.S. Attorney policy not to prosecute those who violate federal firearms laws?

Why there would be "minimal federal interest" in prosecuting those who violate federal firearm laws?

Another reason that was cited in table 1 for declining to prosecute was "weak evidence." Without knowing the facts of each individual case, I would note the following: If an individual knowingly makes a false statement on ATF Form 4473, that is a felony. Form 4473 requires the prospective purchaser to state whether or not he/she is disqualified from purchasing a firearm. Furthermore, each disqualifying criterion is listed on Form 4473 and requires a yes or no answer. Form 4473 also requires a signature by the prospective purchaser and the seller. Form 4473 also requires many other identifiers to verify the identity of the transferee. Thus, if an individual is rejected because NICS system reports that a prospective purchaser is a convicted felon and falsified a document in an attempt to obtain a firearm, that is a violation of U.S.C. 922(a)(6). It seems to me that this should be a relatively open and shut case.
However, of the 204,000 individuals denied the purchase of firearm "nearly 3 out of 4 rejections for firearm transfer occurred because the applicant either had a felony conviction or was under felony indictment." Therefore, it follows that over 150,000 individuals committed a federal felony by falsifying ATF Form 4473. Yet, a February, 2000 General Accounting Office report on the Implementation of NICS showed that in FY 1999, U.S Attorneys filed only 278 cases involving alleged false statements of 18 U.S.C. 922(a)(6) and 316 cases were pending at fiscal yearend. Please explain the lack of federal prosecutions for false statements on ATF Form 4473. Also explain towhat degree "weak evidence" contributes to the unwillingness of U.S. Attorneys to prosecute 18 U.S.C. 922(a)(6) violations.

Appendix III of the GAO audit describes federal enforcement policies regarding falsified firearm purchase applications. It states:
In November 1998, EOUSA provided Brady Act prosecutive guidance . . . The guidance stated that thousands of potential Brady false-form cases would likely reach ATF field offices annually, and that the system "would grind to a halt if ATF investigated all the denials."

The report goes on to say that the EOUSA guidance recommended that U.S. Attorneys should "make every effort to increase the number of Brady false-form prosecutions (from the current annual level of 50 cases)."

The GAO audit also states that in deciding which false form violations to forward to U.S. Attorneys, ATF’s policy is to refer those cases where the "denied purchaser’s criminal history has records of violent felonies, serious drug trafficking, or prior firearms convictions." Yet the GAO report indicates that over half of the referrals of violent criminals were closed without investigation or prosecution.

In light of these GAO findings, I would like answers to the following:

Why were half of the referrals of violent criminals closed without investigation or prosecution?
What efforts has the Department of Justice undertaken to increase the number of false form prosecutions? Has EOUSA issued any additional guidance regarding 18 U.S.C. (a)(6) violations?
Since November 1998, how many 18 U.S.C. (a)(6) violations have been referred to U.S. Attorneys by ATF field offices?
How many 18 U.S.C. (a)(6) false form prosecutions have U.S. Attorneys undertaken since the November 1998 EOUSA guidance?
I do not believe that violent felons, upon learning they are disqualified from firearm ownership, give up their search to obtain a firearm. Please explain why U.S. Attorneys are unwilling to enforce 18 U.S.C. (a)(6) even for violent felons who attempt to purchase firearms?
At a June 21, 2000, hearing at the Senate Judiciary Committee regarding improvements to NICS, Mr. David Loesch, Assistant Director in charge of the Criminal Justice Information Services Division of the FBI testified that the law prohibiting felonious misrepresentation of firearm eligibility "is essentially unenforceable." Would you please expand on this statement and explain why your representative characterized this law as such? Do you share the view that this law is unenforceable? Please comment on the enforceability of U.S.C. 18 (a)(6) in all its specifics and in general.
Your attention to this matter is greatly appreciated. I look forward to your response. If you have any questions about this matter, please have your staff contact Michael Hacker of my office at (202) 225-4071.

With every good wish,



Sincerely,





John D. Dingell

Member of Congress

Just proves that all traffic lights are useless and should be removed.

All cars should be made illegal because one moron doesn't know how to use it safely.

.

was able to get in past TIGHT City Hall security.

Yup we sure are protected by Homeland Security

:puke:

This one doesn't mention the blond woman:

(snip) A witness, Tom Curry, said a man pulled a handgun and began firing across at a second man. Curry, an attorney for the City Council, had no further details. (snip/...)

http://www.adn.com/24hour/nation/story/950313p-6647248c.html

(snip) A witness, Tom Curry, said a man pulled a handgun and began firing across at a second man. Curry, an attorney for the City Council, had no further details.

The entrances and exits to the building were sealed off, and a stretcher was rushed inside by police in flak jackets.

Police officers, including some in riot gear, were seen running across the plaza in front of the building once the shooting stopped. It was not immediately known if the shooter was in custody. (snip)

http://abcnews.go.com/wire/US/ap20030723_1366.html

(snip) A shooting has occurred at New York City Hall in downtown Manhattan, injuring at least two people, various media outlets said.

Around a dozen shots were fired on the second floor of the building, Associated Press said. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg was in his second-floor office at the time of the shooting but was uninjured, his press secretary told CNN.

A witness said someone on a second floor balcony pulled a handgun and began firing shots.

Police officers could be seen trying to secure the building and ambulances were parked outside. A police helicopter was hovering over the scene. (snip)

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20030723.wshoot0723/BNStory/International/

He seems to have been the target.

Found this snip:

(snip) The City Council Chamber was crowded with legislators at the time of the shooting shortly after 2 p.m. and Mayor Michael Bloomberg was also in the building, but he was unharmed, a spokesman said.

"We heard a shot or two. They told us to duck under our desks," Councilman David Weprin said in a telephone interview with NY1 News TV station. "There were a lot of shots, maybe 20 or 30 shots. It's like a war zone here."

Weprin said that at least one of those shot was a council member, James Davis. Emergency officials said both victims were in cardiac arrest and were taken to the hospital.

Several other eyewitnesses said a man was shooting into the council chamber from a balcony. Police officers were seeking a man in a blue suit who fled from the scene, police said. (snip)

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=3144789

This is horrific.

Undergroundrailroad

He said something interesting, that Davis seemed to be with the guy who may have shot him. He wanted to stress that he wasn't speculating or trying to second guess investigators. It was just after the anchor announced Davis was killed that Barron said, "That is just shocking..." then said he'd held back talking about his earlier encounter with Davis and a guy who was with him who gave him a peculiar stare and a firm handshake. Barron somehow thought this man was a former political rival of Davis's who joined his office after being defeated by him.

By the way, my first thought was someone was going after Barron, an outspoken, unabashed radical from Brooklyn. I think he may have been a Panther, once upon a time. He's definitely one of the most visible councilmembers. And I'm glad he's okay.

A shooting on the Mall in Washinton DC and the gunman is stil loose.

eom

(snip)
NEW YORK, July 23 — A man pulled a gun and began firing Wednesday from a balcony in the City Council chambers of New York City Hall, NBC News and local television reported. Colleagues and police said a City Council member was shot in the chest, and two law enforcement officers were carried out on stretchers.

The Associated Press, quoting a police officer at the scene, and New York 1 cable television, quoting other council members, both reported that City Council member James Davis of Brooklyn, a former police officer, was shot twice in the chest. (snip)

http://www.msnbc.com/news/943119.asp?0cm=c20

not likely to survive - a Davis staff aide.

babbling on about this is not a terrorist act, this is an attack on democracy

what on earth is that fool talking about?
how can anybody say anything so stupid?

they think it's a cop who was dressed disguised in a businessman's suit

they can't figure out how anybody could get a gun in the building through all the tight security

the gun was probably there already, stashed somewhere, obviously

I'm sure he's doing whatever he can to deflect criticism.

...can be found at:
http://www.gothamgazette.com/searchlight/dist35.shtml

from yahoo:

"Security had been stepped up at City Hall, particularly since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Metal detectors were installed at either end of the barricades, along with metal barricades. A uniformed police officer is posted at the gate.


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

Cute. Real cute.

He was an opposing candidate for Davis's post:

From Courier Life Newspapers

COUNCIL RACES TAKING SHAPE...
35th: Incumbent James Davis will be challenged by Tony Herbert (an aide to several elected officials over the years), perhaps Abraham Wasserman (a Crown Heights resident who ran in 2001), and maybe the unknown Othniel Boaz Askew. "I've never heard of him. Or her," Davis said.
http://www.lidbrooklyn.org/bp061603.htm


ASKEW FOR CITY COUNCIL
59 South Elliott Place
Brooklyn, NY 11217
Treasurer: Joseph Raby

Candidate(s):
Othniel Boaz Askew

He was a polticial RIVAL? What have we come to?


rocknation