Gunman dead after opening fire in New York hospital

[NEW YORK] A doctor was killed and six people injured after a gunman opened fire inside a New York hospital over a "workplace-related matter" on Friday, the city's mayor said, with the shooter later taking his own life.

Mayor Bill de Blasio said several doctors were "fighting for their lives" following the incident in the Bronx borough. He said the gunman was also a doctor and former employee but gave no indication of his motive.

New York police chief James O'Neill added that five of the injured were seriously hurt while a sixth was wounded in the leg.

The shooting occurred at the 1000-bed Bronx-Lebanon hospital at around 3 pm (1900 GMT), located on one of the busiest thoroughfares in the city's north.

The shooter was found dead on the 17th floor of the hospital, apparently from a self-inflicted wound, Mr O'Neill added. The dead doctor, a woman, was found lying nearby.

Mr De Blasio referenced the spate of mass shootings the country has seen in recent years, and said: "Thank God this is not an act of terrorism. It is an isolated incident." "Our hearts going out to the family of the doctor who passed away," he continued, before praising rescue officials and the police force for their rapid response, as well as fire fighters for extinguishing a blaze that broke out.

America's largest city maintains a huge police deployment over fears of a potential terror attack like those that have hit European cities in recent years.

AFP