Gunman kills guard, himself at Manhattan federal building

A man fatally shot a security officer and then took his own life at a federal office building in Lower Manhattan Friday afternoon, authorities said.

The suspect pulled out a gun and opened fire at a security guard in the head after walking into the federal office building and approaching the metal detector at the security screening area, New York Police Department Chief James O'Neill said.

He then walked farther into the building, through the metal detectors toward the elevator and "encountered another employee" before shooting himself in the head, O'Neill said.

The suspect, identified as Kevin Downing, 68, was pronounced dead at the scene, while the security officer, identified as Idrissa Camara, 53, was pronounced dead later at Lenox Hill Hospital, according to local media reports.

The authorities ruled out any connection between the incident and terrorism, but said it was not clear if there was a connection between the gunman and the security guard.

The federal building houses a Department of Veterans Affairs office, a U.S. Post Office, the National Urban Security Technology Laboratory, an Immigration Court, and other offices.

Police were working closely with the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security and other authorities to determine the suspect's motive, O'Neill said.