Tragedy averted: Police kill gunman who opened fire at NYC church during Christmas concert

A suspect who opened fire Sunday at a Catholic church's outdoor Christmas concert was shot dead by officers, pre-empting a potentially larger tragedy, New York City police said.

The incident occurred in the late afternoon at St. John the Divine Cathedral Church in Harlem.

“I can tell you from the preliminary body camera – and again, this is quick – that we watched, you see three officers acting heroically, sergeant, detective and police officer, engaging an armed perpetrator, putting themselves in harm’s way to pull people that are literally hiding behind these poles behind me caught in the crossfire,” NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea told reporters Sunday evening. “So it is by the grace of God today that we don’t have anyone struck.”

Witnesses said the middle aged male gunman yelled "Kill me" as he fired, and horrified bystanders ran for cover. Officers quickly responded to the scene and fatally shot the man in the head.

Officers recovered two semiautomatic handguns from the suspect as well as a nearby bag believed to be his which contained a full can of gasoline, rope, wire, knives, and a Bible, police said.