A New York City police officer and three other people were killed in a shooting in Midtown Manhattan on Monday evening, police confirmed at a late-night news conference.

Officials say the suspect, identified as 27-year-old Shane Tamura, acted alone and died from an "apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound".

Officials said the gunman fatally shot himself after his attack, which set off a chaotic scene that rippled out into the heart of Manhattan during rush hour.