Fort Lee Man Shoots Security Guard, Kills Self At Federal Building In NYC

A Fort Lee man shot a security officer at a federal building in New York City Friday before killing himself, police said.

At approximately 5:05, p.m., Kevin Downing, 68, walked into the federal building at 201 Varick St. As he approached the metal detector in the security screening area, the man pulled out a gun and shot the security officer at close range, according to the NYPD.

The security officer, Idrissa Camara, 53, was employed by FJC security services under contract to the Department of Homeland Security.

After shooting the officer, the suspect proceeded through the security area and turned the gun on himself. He was pronounced dead on the scene, police said.

The Fire Department of New York City (FDNY) transported Camara to nearby Lenox Hill HealthPlex in critical condition. He was declared dead at the hospital, police say.

As of Friday night, it appeared there were no other suspects on the scene and the building was secure, police said.

In a release, police added:

“We are at the preliminary stages of this investigation based on what we know now. At this point there is no indication of a nexus to terrorism.

“Downing is a former federal employee and resided in Fort Lee,. His residence has been secured while we await a court authorized search warrant. We are at the very early stages of this investigation and are working to establish his motive for coming here, if he had an intended target beyond the security officer, and what the motive was behind this crime.”

Photo courtesy of NBC4 in NYC. Police arriving in Fort Lee in the area of the shooter’s house, according to NBC4.