Tragedy at 345 Park Avenue: Las Vegas Man Identified as Gunman in Deadly New York City Shooting
New York City, NY — July 28, 2025
In a horrific act of violence that has shaken the nation, a gunman opened fire at 345 Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan on Monday morning, leaving four people dead and one critically injured. Among the deceased was an off-duty New York City police officer, whose death has sent ripples of sorrow throughout the law enforcement community and beyond.
Authorities have identified the shooter as 42-year-old Malcolm Reyes, a man originally from Las Vegas, Nevada. Investigators are working to piece together how Reyes, who reportedly had a history of mental instability and prior run-ins with law enforcement, ended up at the heart of New York City on what has now become one of the deadliest mass shootings in Manhattan in recent years.
The Incident
Just after 8:00 a.m., as employees and commuters filled the sidewalks of Park Avenue on an otherwise typical Monday morning, the calm was shattered by the sound of gunfire erupting from within the lobby of the high-rise office building at 345 Park Avenue. Witnesses described scenes of chaos and terror as people fled in every direction, some ducking into nearby shops and others helping victims as the shooting unfolded.
Within minutes, first responders from the NYPD, FDNY, and emergency medical teams were on the scene, securing the area and beginning the grim task of assessing the wounded and deceased.
Of the five victims shot, four were pronounced dead at the scene. The fifth, a woman in her 30s who sustained gunshot wounds to the abdomen and shoulder, remains in critical condition at Bellevue Hospital. Doctors say she is currently undergoing surgery and fighting for her life.
Fallen Hero: Off-Duty NYPD Officer Among the Victims
The NYPD has confirmed that one of the victims was a 35-year-old off-duty officer, Detective Ryan Caldwell, who had served on the force for over a decade. Detective Caldwell was reportedly in the building to meet a friend for breakfast when the shooting began. According to initial reports, Caldwell attempted to intervene during the attack and was fatally shot in the process.
NYPD Commissioner Linda Torres spoke at an afternoon press conference, her voice filled with emotion:
“Detective Ryan Caldwell was a hero — not just in how he lived, but in how he died. He ran toward danger when others ran from it. His bravery will not be forgotten.”
A candlelight vigil is being planned in his honor at his home precinct in Queens, and the Mayor’s Office has ordered flags across the city to be flown at half-staff.
The Suspect: Malcolm Reyes
Law enforcement sources confirm that Reyes had traveled from Las Vegas to New York just days before the shooting. While the motive remains unclear, officials believe the attack was targeted, though they have not disclosed the specific nature of the shooter’s connection to the victims.
FBI and NYPD Joint Terrorism Task Force agents are reviewing Reyes’ digital footprint, including social media, emails, and travel history. Early indications suggest Reyes may have been experiencing a mental health crisis. A firearm registered in Nevada was recovered at the scene, along with multiple magazines of ammunition.
Reyes was shot and killed by responding NYPD officers during the confrontation in the lobby. A source confirmed that officers shouted for him to drop his weapon multiple times before engaging when he raised the firearm in their direction.
A City in Mourning
As details continue to unfold, New Yorkers are left grappling with another senseless tragedy. The victims, whose names have not yet all been released pending notification of families, included a financial analyst, a receptionist, and a visiting client from out of town. All were simply going about their day when their lives were stolen in an instant.
Mayor Eric Adams addressed the public Monday afternoon:
“This is a dark day for New York City. Our hearts are heavy, and our prayers are with the victims’ families, our wounded survivor, and especially the family of Detective Caldwell. We will stand together in grief, in resilience, and in our determination to prevent these kinds of tragedies.”
Investigation and Response
Police have cordoned off a wide perimeter around 345 Park Avenue as forensics teams and investigators comb through the building and surveillance footage. Witnesses are being interviewed, and a city-wide alert has gone out to ensure any potential accomplices or connections are uncovered quickly.
Meanwhile, calls are growing louder for legislative action and mental health reform. Advocacy groups are pressing for stronger gun control measures, including interstate tracking and mandatory waiting periods, while also highlighting the lack of accessible mental health support.
Conclusion
The events of July 28 serve as a grim reminder of how quickly lives can be upended by violence. For the families of the victims, including the NYPD family mourning the loss of Detective Caldwell, the pain is unimaginable. For the city, it is a time for unity, remembrance, and an urgent call to confront the root causes of such senseless acts.
As investigations continue and communities gather to mourn, one thing is clear: New York will not forget the lives lost on this devastating day, nor will it rest until justice — and healing — are achieved
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