New York Governor Kathy Hochul is calling for urgent national action on gun safety following the deadliest mass shooting in New York City in 25 years. The shooting occurred in midtown Manhattan on Monday, when a gunman armed with an M4-style assault rifle entered a corporate office building and killed four people before taking his own life. One of the victims was an off-duty NYPD officer working security.
“This was a weapon of war used to slaughter innocent people in the heart of our city,” Hochul said in an interview on Tuesday. “Our state is grieving, and our residents are shaken. But thoughts and prayers are not enough—we need action.”
Authorities say the shooter, whose name has not yet been released, was from Nevada and may have been targeting the NFL headquarters. According to Mayor Eric Adams, the shooter entered the building’s elevator intending to reach the NFL’s floor, but the system routed him to another level where he opened fire. One of the victims was Wesley LePatner, a senior managing director at Blackstone. The off-duty officer, Didarul Islam, was killed attempting to intervene.
Investigators are now combing through evidence at the suspect’s Nevada home. A note found at the scene referenced the NFL and expressed frustration over CTE, a brain disease linked to contact sports. Hochul confirmed she had spoken with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to offer condolences and described the situation as “terrifying.”
The shooting has reignited debate over assault weapons in the United States. Hochul emphasized that New York has some of the strongest gun laws in the country and one of the lowest firearm homicide rates among large states—but said weak gun laws in other states put New Yorkers at risk.
“We cannot be expected to protect our people when someone can cross state lines with an assault rifle designed for the battlefield,” she said. “Congress needs to step up. We had a federal assault weapons ban for ten years, and it worked. We need to bring that back.”
Pressed on why Democrats failed to pass such a ban when they controlled Congress, Hochul called for “political courage” and urged lawmakers—particularly Republicans—to resist pressure from the gun lobby.
“You can’t say you’re tough on crime and soft on guns,” she said. “One more slaughter is too many.”
Hochul rejected criticism from Rep. Elise Stefanik, who blamed “radical anti-police” policies for the shooting and accused Hochul of associating with anti-law enforcement voices. “That’s pathetic,” Hochul responded. “I govern. I don’t tweet. I’ve invested $2.6 billion in law enforcement—more than any governor in New York history.”
The governor confirmed plans to meet with victims’ families and attend a vigil in the city. Flags are being flown at half-staff across the state.
“We are wounded. We are hurting,” Hochul said. “But I don’t want to just mourn. I want to act. And I want Washington to act too.”
