In a harrowing turn of events that has shaken New York City, rock icon Lenny Kravitz was confirmed to be among those who narrowly escaped a mass shooting earlier today in Midtown Manhattan. The incident occurred just 30 minutes ago, with eyewitnesses reporting chaos, gunfire, and mass panic at a high-rise office building near 6th Avenue and 45th Street — a bustling commercial zone in the heart of the city.

According to preliminary police reports, an unidentified gunman opened fire inside the lobby of the Midtown Plaza Tower shortly before noon, injuring several individuals before fleeing the scene. Authorities have not yet released an official number of casualties, but emergency responders confirmed that at least four people were taken to nearby hospitals, two of them in critical condition. Lenny Kravitz, who was reportedly inside the building at the time of the attack for a scheduled business meeting related to his upcoming Las Vegas residency, managed to exit the premises with the help of his security team and building staff.

Witnesses described scenes of absolute terror. “People were screaming, ducking behind desks, and running in every direction,” said Angela Martinez, a building receptionist who was present during the shooting. “I saw Mr. Kravitz being rushed out by two men in black — I didn’t even realize it was him until he was already outside.”

The Grammy-winning singer, known for hits like “Fly Away” and “Are You Gonna Go My Way,” has not yet issued a public statement, but sources close to him confirmed that he is physically unharmed, though “deeply shaken.” A representative for Kravitz said, “Lenny is safe and currently with his family. He extends his prayers to the victims and is cooperating fully with law enforcement.”

Kravitz had been spending time in New York preparing for promotional events and meetings connected to his Blue Electric Light residency scheduled to take place at Dolby Live in Las Vegas later this year. The fact that he was even present in the building was a matter of chance, as the meeting had reportedly been rescheduled at the last minute due to a flight delay the previous evening.

While motives behind the shooting remain unclear, speculation has already begun circulating online. Some reports claim the suspect may have been targeting a specific individual within the building, although this has yet to be confirmed. NYPD has launched a city-wide manhunt and urged the public to avoid the Midtown area as investigations continue. Surveillance footage is being reviewed and eyewitness testimonies are being collected.

Mayor Eric Adams quickly addressed the incident in a press briefing: “This act of violence in the heart of our city is unacceptable. We are relieved that more lives weren’t lost, and we thank our first responders for their swift action. We ask all New Yorkers to remain alert and supportive of law enforcement efforts.”

The shooting has reignited conversations surrounding security measures in high-traffic areas of Manhattan and the accessibility of firearms. Advocacy groups wasted no time responding. Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action, tweeted: “No one is safe from gun violence — not even celebrities in office buildings in Midtown Manhattan. This must end.”

For many, the fact that a public figure like Lenny Kravitz was directly involved makes the tragedy hit even closer to home. His close call has already sparked an outpouring of messages from fans and fellow celebrities. Questlove of The Roots posted, “Grateful my brother Lenny Kravitz is safe. But heartbroken for everyone else caught in this madness.”

As of this writing, the NYPD has cordoned off the block surrounding the Midtown Plaza Tower. Bomb squads were briefly deployed as a precaution after an unclaimed bag was found near the entrance, though authorities later cleared the area, stating no explosive devices were detected.

More information is expected in the coming hours as authorities piece together the events leading up to the shooting and work to identify the perpetrator.

In the meantime, the city breathes a sigh of relief that a beloved icon like Lenny Kravitz survived this senseless act — but the fear and trauma linger for all who were there. For New York, this was yet another reminder that violence can strike anywhere, anytime, and leave even the strongest among us rattled.