Shootings In NYC Don't Deter Visitors As Tourism Numbers Still Grow

New York City may be experiencing its own share of the gun violence plaguing America, but there is still a growing number of tourists visiting each year.

Officials said it is too early to tell if a shooting near the Empire State Building on Friday will have an effect, if any, on those numbers. Eleven people were shot in that incident -- two fatally.

During a press conference following the shooting, NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly said the deceased suspect Jeffery Johnson, a 53-year-old from Manhattan, shot and killed a 41-year-old former coworker shortly after 9 a.m. on West 33rd Street before being killed himself by police.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg said some of those injured may have been accidentally shot by police. But the investigation continues.

At this time authorities know that Johnson worked for a women's apparel store, Hazan Imports, and was recently laid off when the company downsized.

Friday's incident is the latest shooting in Midtown, an area of the city popular with tourists, and to which hundreds of thousands people travel daily.

A knife-wielding man was shot and killed by police last week in Times Square after leading officers on a chase. Reports are that police saw the man smoking marijuana on 44th Street and Seventh Avenue, approached him, and the man then pulled a knife on officers.

The Empire State Building is one the city's best-known attractions. Its observatory allows visitors a panoramic view of the city's skyline, other skyscrapers and the world below.

The shooting happened at what is considered the height of the tourist season.

"Today's shooting near the Empire State Building is a tragedy for New York City and our entire state," Gov. Andrew Cuomo said via a press release, noting also that his administration and others are actively monitoring the situation to ensure safety for New Yorkers and visitors.

According to police data, between July 30 and Aug. 5 there have been 2,276 police complaints in the city. Those complaints involved crimes such as murder, rape, robbery, assault and larceny. That figure is 2.5 percent higher than the 2,220 reported for the corresponding period last year.

Historically, though, crime has been decreasing in the city.

Murders went from a high of 2,262 in 1990 to 515 last year. With other types of crimes factored in, the total numbers show a dramatic decline from 527,257 in 1990 to 107,196, according to police department data.

And what crime does still happen in New York City isn't deterring visitors.

Last year, more than 50 million people visited New York City, according to statistics from NYC and Company, the city's official tourism organization. The year before that, there were 48.8 million visitors -- 3.2 million more than in 2009.

More than $34 billion in direct spending was seen from visitors last year and the total wages generated by the city's tourism sector were $17.3 billion.

NYC has one of the most well-organized security systems in the nation, a system that has constantly been improved since the World Trade Center attack on Sept. 11, 2001.

"Our state has no tolerance for senseless acts of violence that harm our people, and we will do everything possible to ensure that law enforcement officials have the tools they need so residents of the city and tourists can enjoy everything New York City has to offer without fearing for their own safety and security," Cuomo said.