A Google Maps view shows the area where the man was gunned down. (
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A man was fatally shot in the head in broad daylight on West 58th Street and Broadway this afternoon in a shocking act of violence, authorities said.
The incident occurred about a block from Carnegie Hall, in front of the St. Thomas Choir School located at 202 W. 58th St. around 1:50 p.m., the FDNY said.
The victim, Brandon Lincoln Woodard, 31, of Los Angeles, was approached from behind by his killer and shot once in the back of the head, according to NYPD spokesman Paul Browne. He was pronounced dead at St. Luke’s Hospital.
“The victim was walking westbound on West 58th street in front of St. Thomas Choir School when a male black, unknown age, in a dark coat, dark hood and khaki pants began walking westbound behind the victim,” said Browne. “The shooter came up at close range and shot the victim one time in the back of the head.”
PHOTOS: MAN GUNNED DOWN IN BROAD DAYLIGHT
The street was crowded with passers-by at the time of the shooting.
After the shooting, stunned witnesses ran over to a nearby fire house and said Woodard had been shot in the face, sources said.
The firefighters then rushed over to Woodard and tried to aid him, sources said.
The suspect, described as a black male wearing a dark coat, dark hood and khaki pants, hopped into the passenger side of a light-colored Lincoln MKZ sedan, Browne said.
“The shooter got into the passenger front seat of that awaiting vehicle, which had the driver in it and they drove out of the parking space and proceeded eastbound toward Seventh Avenue on West 58th street,” Browne said.
“The gun was a silver semiautomatic pistol and a shell casing was recovered at scene,” Browne added. “We’re canvassing for videos and witnesses.”
The shooter appeared calm and determined to carry out the execution-style shooting, according to cops.
“There was no rush,” Browne said. “He just walked up, shot him and walked away.”
The NYPD has obtained video of the shooting.