One Man Dead After Shots Ring Out During Cathedral Church Christmas Concert

The armed suspect that opened fire during a Christmas concert outside of the Cathedral Church of St John the Divine in Harlem, New York, has been fatally shot by the police.

NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea said at 3:45 p.m. a man shouted “kill me” from the crowd and fired shots outside the church doors near the end of the caroling concert.

Shea said a police officer, a sergeant, and a community affairs detective were nearby and responded immediately. When they arrived at the scene they fired 15 shots into the gunman one of which struck him in the head. He was in critical condition when transported to a hospital and later died from his injuries.

Watch as @NYPDShea updates the media on a police involved shooting that took place earlier today at the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine. pic.twitter.com/8JMgP3WoBk

— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) December 13, 2020

Shea thanked the officers for their brave actions.

“I can tell you from the preliminary body camera – and again, this is quick – that we watched, you see three officers acting heroically, sergeant, detective, and police officer engaging an armed perpetrator, putting themselves in harm’s way to pull people that are literally hiding behind these poles behind me caught in the crossfire,” he said. “So it is by the grace of God today that we don’t have anyone struck.”

Two semi-automatic firearms owned by the suspect were recovered by police at the scene.

These are the two guns recovered from the suspect at the scene of the shooting. pic.twitter.com/XSutdtpqwK

— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) December 13, 2020

Police also found a bag nearby containing a full can of gasoline, rope, wire, multiple knives, a bible, and tape.

The identity of the gunman has not yet been released as police are waiting on fingerprint verification and an investigation into the motive behind the attack is being conducted.

There has been a shooting at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine after their Christmas concert—my Chief of Staff and press secretary who were present are safe. We don’t have a lot of information but our gratitude goes out to first responders @NYPD24Pct @NYPDnews.

— Gale A. Brewer (@galeabrewer) December 13, 2020

“We don’t have a lot of information but our gratitude goes out to first responders,” Shea added.

But then the three younger kids in the group immediately wanted hot chocolate too. I offered to make them all some at home, and they could continue playing at our roof deck. They tried lobbying for Morningside Park, but the adults thought sunset was fast approaching.

— Shayoni Mitra (@ShayoniMitra) December 13, 2020

Mitra recalled the incident in a tweet, “We started walking back, me with two other Barnard colleagues one of whom with close ties to St John the Divine. And as we rounded to 110th street people were already running. One person said there was a shooting. We heard what sounded like loud hammering.”

The cathedral issued a statement saying that everyone connected to the church attending the event is safe.

“It is horrible that our choir’s gift to New York City, a much-needed afternoon of song and unity, was cut short by this shocking act of violence. We will remain strong, together, and serve as a safe space for prayer, meditation and celebration during the upcoming holiday season,” the church wrote.

The church’s statement continued, “We are grateful to our first responders, and our prayers are with all those affected by this event.”