CNN reported just 30 minutes ago that beloved actress and TV host Whoopi Goldberg was found by police in a deeply distressed state following a tragic mass shooting at a high-rise office building in Midtown Manhattan. The incident, which left five people dead including at least one NYPD officer, has sent shockwaves through the city — and the country.

According to preliminary police statements, the shooting took place shortly before 11:00 AM inside the 44-story building located at 375 Lexington Avenue. Witnesses reported hearing a series of rapid gunshots followed by screaming and a chaotic stampede of employees and visitors rushing down the stairwells. SWAT teams and emergency medical units responded within minutes.

In a shocking development, it was confirmed that Whoopi Goldberg, 69, was on-site at the time of the attack, attending a closed-door meeting with production staff from The View, the daytime talk show she co-hosts. The building reportedly houses a temporary studio being used for offsite planning and interviews while the main set undergoes renovations.

An NYPD spokesperson revealed that Goldberg was discovered in a locked conference room on the 38th floor, visibly shaken and unresponsive to verbal communication. Officers said she was curled under a desk with her hands covering her ears, muttering unintelligible words and unable to stand without assistance. EMTs on the scene sedated her slightly before she was transported to a private hospital for trauma evaluation.

“She was conscious but clearly in shock,” one officer stated. “She didn’t appear physically injured, but the emotional impact was evident. We prioritized her extraction once we confirmed it was safe to enter that section of the building.”

Initial reports have not indicated that Goldberg was a direct target in the attack. However, investigators are not ruling anything out as they work to determine the motive behind the shooter’s rampage. The suspect, identified by unconfirmed sources as 27-year-old Shane Tamura, was killed by law enforcement after a brief standoff in the building’s elevator shaft. His connection to the building or any of its occupants is still unclear.

The tragedy has triggered an outpouring of concern from the entertainment industry, with celebrities, fans, and public figures expressing support for Goldberg and mourning the lives lost. Joy Behar, co-host of The View, released a brief statement: “We are heartbroken and horrified. Whoopi is a sister to us, and we are grateful she is alive. But our hearts go out to the families of those who weren’t so lucky.”

Security footage and digital communication records are being reviewed to piece together the sequence of events that led up to the massacre. Witnesses have reported that the gunman appeared “calm but calculated” as he moved through hallways, appearing to target specific offices before opening fire at random.

Several production assistants from ABC News were reportedly among those injured. Their conditions have not been publicly released. ABC issued a statement confirming that some of its employees were involved but refrained from providing names pending family notification.

Goldberg’s daughter, Alex Martin, was seen arriving at the hospital shortly after the news broke, visibly distraught and escorted by private security. No official statement has been made by the Goldberg family as of yet.

This is not the first time Goldberg has found herself at the center of a national crisis. As a vocal advocate for social justice, she has been an outspoken critic of gun violence and has repeatedly called for stricter gun control laws. Ironically, just last week, she delivered a segment on The View criticizing the country’s “desensitization to tragedy.”

Now, Goldberg finds herself on the other side of the story — as a survivor.

As the city grieves, the investigation continues, with Mayor Eric Adams promising transparency and swift justice. “This is not just another statistic,” Adams said at a press conference. “These are lives shattered, dreams destroyed, and a community traumatized. We will get to the bottom of this.”

Goldberg remains under observation, and sources close to her say she is expected to recover physically, though the emotional toll may be far more complicated.

This is a developing story. More details will be released as the investigation unfolds.