Reactions to Midtown Shooting in New York City
Following the tragic shooting in Manhattan, Kevin Kolke, a senior national correspondent at Fox News, shared his thoughts on “Hannity,” contrasting his sense of safety in New York City under former Republican Mayor Rudy Giuliani with the current climate.
At least four police officers and four civilians lost their lives on Monday evening when a gunman entered a 44-story Midtown skyscraper, home to Blackstone and the NFL headquarters. Reports from local news indicated that Kolke and host Sean Hannity discussed the quick response efforts while viewing a photo capturing the scene of chaos inside the building.
“Kevin, I saw those barricades. First of all, credit goes to those who thought fast in such a situation. They really improvised with whatever they had in the office to protect themselves,” Hannity remarked.
“Yeah, I mean, absolutely, Sean,” Kolke replied. “But you can never anticipate how you’d react in a moment like that, especially given the potential dangers we all face. On the 33rd floor, people were doing what they could—using sofas, furniture, filing cabinets—anything to keep the shooter out.”
Images obtained by local news depict the suspect entering the building with a rifle shortly before the shooting occurred around 6:30 PM.
The New York Police Department provided updates on social media as they arrived at the scene. Kolke reminisced about his experiences walking in the city during Giuliani’s administration, recalling a sense of danger at night.
“I’ve been in New York for a long time, and I loved living in Murray Hill. I remember walking around late at night, and, of course, that was during Giuliani’s time,” he added. “When incidents like this occur, it often feels like there’s a heightened level of anxiety in the city. It’s a bit overwhelming, to be honest, especially looking at tonight’s scene, Sean.”
Later that evening, city officials held a press conference, revealing that one police officer, a four-year veteran, was among those killed, along with a man and two women, while another individual was reported in serious condition.
