Empire State Building Shooting: Johnson Bought Gun In Sarasota

The man who had legally bought the gun in Sarasota, according to the New York Police Department.

And Jeffery Johnson's Sarasota ties just begin at the gun purchase, according to media and police reports. 

Fashion designer Johnson had killed his former coworker Steven Ercolino, 41, and fatally shot him outside of the Empire State Building, according to police. Johnson was killed by an officer on the scene. Bullets and bullet fragments from officers wounded nine, NYPD told The Associated Press. 

The NYPD also told the Associated Press that Johnson, 58, legally bought the gun in Sarasota in 1991; however, he did not have the proper concealed weapon permit in New York City. 

Johnson, who was reportedly upset after being laid off by Hazan Import Corp., had listed on his LinkedIn profile that he attended , but his profile has since been removed. Cached copies are available of the profile online. 

He lived in Sarasota for nearly a decade — 1982 to 1991— and part of it on Gillespie Drive, The Herald-Tribune reported, and he studied graphic design for two years at Ringling College: 

Christine Lange, a spokeswoman for Ringling School, confirmed that he was enrolled in the graphic design program from 1978 to 1980. She said that he did not graduate, and that the school had no further information about his time on campus.

Johnson's time spent in Sarasota is reflected in his artwork. On his website, www.stjollysart.com, he has a piece, "Buzzing a Pirate In Sarasota Bay" in his alternate realities series.

Do you remember Jeremy Johnson during his time in Sarasota? What was he like? Does he have any roots still here? Tell us in the comments