8:15PM UPDATE: Ithaca police released more information surrounding Friday afternoon's incident.

Police say just after 3PM, officers responded to multiple 911 calls of shots fired at the rear parking lot of the Ithaca Fire Department on West State Street. When officers arrived they found two people with gunshot wounds. Witnesses told them the shooter had run into an apartment house a block over, on the 300 block of West Seneca Street.

Police set up a perimeter around the house, and blocked off the area, and received assistance from the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation, as well as the Ithaca-Tompkins Specialized Response Team and Crisis Negotiation Team. 

Ithaca police say they later determined the suspect had fled the West Seneca Street apartment building prior to the perimeter being established, and reopened West Seneca Street to traffic just before 6PM.

The two shooting victims were taken to a regional trauma center, and are expected to survive. According to IPD, there was a verbal altercation between the suspect and the two victims prior to the shooting. 

Police are still seeking the suspected shooter, who is described as a black male, 6'2" tall, with a thin build, and long thin braided hair. He was last seen wearing a blue long sleeved shirt, blue jeans, a ball cap and backpack. 

 

Anyone with information is asked to contact Ithaca Police.

7PM UPDATE: Police have cleared the scene, and have confirmed to WENY News two people were shot, sparking the incident. The suspect is not currently in custody, according to IPD. 

ITHACA, NY (WENY) -- Multiple police agencies are on scene in downtown Ithaca, and are urging people to stay away from the area due to an ongoing incident.

Authorities have blocked off the 300 block of West Seneca Street, between North Plain and South Albany Streets, as well as West Buffalo Street to the north, after responding to a report of shots fired. Police additionally have part of West State Street blocked off, near the Southern Tier AIDS program. 

Ithaca police, New York State Police, along with a SWAT mobile command center are on scene. 

Details are very limited at this time - WENY News is on the scene and will provide updates as more information is confirmed.