Gunfire rattles NYC's Waldorf-Astoria

NEW YORK — A gunman burst into a jewelry store in the ornate lobby of the Waldorf-Astoria hotel Saturday, said he was robbing the store and began smashing display cases with the butt of his gun, police said.

As the store security guard, a retired police detective, tackled the gunman, shots rang out, striking the guard and sending panicked hotel guests scattering for cover.

Another employee at the store, Cellini Jewelers, grabbed the robber as he tried to flee and another gunshot went off, but no one else was hit, police said. Several Secret Service agents who were on a security detail at a nearby hotel ran over to the Waldorf at the sound of gunfire, officials said.

The former detective, Gregory Boyle, 54, who had been working as a plainclothes guard, was shot once and taken to Bellevue Hospital. He was expected to survive.

A 20-year-old suspect was arrested on charges including attempted murder and assault.

The ordeal transformed the lobby of the landmark luxury hotel from a picture of refined hospitality into one of panic and confusion.

"We heard shots, and people came running out from the jewelry store shouting, 'Run! Run!' " said Kevin Rands, a visitor from the United Kingdom who was checking in with his wife, Frances.

Jeff Johnston, 51, was in a chair listening to his iPod when he saw people running. "I pulled my headphones off. I heard a pop," said Johnston, of Raleigh, N.C. "I took cover. I stood behind a column."

He said people dodged into private alcoves holding telephones and chairs.

A police spokesman, Assistant Chief Michael Collins, said the gunman was restrained by the store employee and then by other uniformed security officials until the police took him into custody.

The police said they recovered two handguns but determined that all of the shots were fired by the gunman.

Information from The Associated Press is included in this report.