FJC Security guard Idrissa Camara, 53, who agreed to work overtime at Manhattan federal building shot dead by deranged gunman 68-year-old Kevin Downing, a retired U.S. Army Reserves captain who then killed himself.
The doorway and security check point where Kevin Downing fatally shot Security Guard Idrisa Camara
The family of a security guard who killed while working at a federal building downtown Friday is now planning his funeral.
A cousin said Saturday that the family is trying to decide if Idrissa Camara, 53, shot and killed at work on Varick Street, will be buried in the United States or in his native Ivory Coast.
FJC Security guard Idrissa Camara could have been home with his children, but chose instead to put in a few hours of overtime — a decision that cost the security guard his life when a deranged gunman shot him at his post in a federal building in SoHo Friday.
Eyewitness News talked to Camara’s family and friends on Saturday, and they say that not only did he love his job as a security officer, but the armed guard never felt like it was a dangerous job. Camara often sent the money he made here back to extended family members in the Ivory Coast.
For most of the day, family and friends came to Camara’s home, all giving condolences to his wife and four children.
“If someone has a problem, we come to share the grief with them, and support them as much as we can,” says Vakoua Diomande, a family friend for 15-years.
Camara’s cousin, and leader at the family’s Harlem mosque tells Eyewitness News that the family is holding up well.
“I’m going to pray, that’s all – their spirit is high, their spirit is strong,” says Imam Komate.
Kevin Downing, 63, of Fort Lee, N.J., entered through a side entrance of the building that houses an immigration court, passport processing center and a regional office for the Department of Labor, a law enforcement official said. He shot Camara at close range, then walked through the screening area and headed toward an elevator where he encountered another employee, and then shot himself in the head, said James O’Neill, a chief with the New York Police Department.
Downing was pronounced dead at the scene.
Camara, was supposed to have gotten off work at 4 p.m. but agreed to stay on for an extra shift, FJC Security Services said. The shooting happened at 5:05 p.m. He was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
“That was my brother that was my brother,” the victim’s sister said.
Camara’s sister wept as she left the family’s Harlem home.
She’s devastated by the news that her brother won’t be coming home to his wife and four children.
His son posted a tribute on his Facebook page, thanking friends for their support:
I just want to thank everyone for supporting me after my fathers tragic death at work, my father was very kind person and didn’t deserve anything like this. And I wish no one would have to go what I’m going to throughly right now and god bless everyone.
His brother rushed to Lenox Hill Hospital to be with them during this tragic time.
“We just got there. We’re going to try to go there and speak to the wife, she’s upstairs. The only thing we actually, anybody knows him, don’t know him, heard about him, to pray for him. To pray for him. To pray for him,” said Ouattara Muhammad, the victim’s brother.
Because Camara was a security guard under contract to the Department of Homeland Security, his death constitutes a homicide of a federal officer.
A spokesman for FJC Security Services, the company Camara worked for, released a statement saying,
“Tonight, for the first time in our 27-year history, FJC Security Services lost a member of our family when Senior Guard Idrissa Camara was shot at 201 Varick Street. He later died at Lenox Health Greenwich Village. “Idrissa Camara, 53, of Manhattan, worked for FJC for two years, when we took over the contract at that building. He worked for the prior company and we were pleased he stayed with us during that transition.
“Camara, who was armed, was an extraordinary Senior Guard who was well trained, cared deeply about his job and knew that building better than anyone else. It’s clear from the facts that he never had a chance to defend himself in this instance.
“Camara was scheduled to complete his day at 4:00 PM, but agreed to stay on for extra duty. That speaks volumes about the person he was.”Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife and family. We intend to do everything we can to stand with them during this very difficult time.”As part of our investigation, we have checked our records for any link between the shooter and FJC. Our search found no connection.”
Law Enforcement Officers Security Unions (LEOSU) America’s Newest 9(b)3 Security Union For Law Enforcement Security Police, Special Police, Security Guards, Security Officers & Security Professionals in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Washington DC Capitol Region and throughout the Northeast.
Law Enforcement Officers Security Unions (LEOSU) a NYC Law Enforcement & Security Guard Union issued a statement on the tragic and senseless death of FJC Security guard Idrissa Camara.
“We are shocked and horrified at this terrible news and send our deepest condolences to Officer Camara’s family. Security officers around the city and country serve on the front line each and every day to keep us safe and secure. We are heartbroken that one of our own has fallen. We hope some of our questions in the face of this terrible tragedy will be answered. For now, we are keeping Officer Camara’s family and loved ones in our thoughts and prayers.”
CNN – Aug 21, 2015
The security company said the 53-year-old guard died at a hospital. FJC Security Services said Idrissa Camara had been scheduled to get off work an hour earlier but agreed to stay late. “Camara, who was armed, was an extraordinary senior guard who was …
NEWS.com.au – 21 hours ago
As he approached a metal detector, Downing shot FJC Security Services guard Idrissa Camara, police said. Camara was supposed to leave work at 4pm but had agreed to stay for an extra shift, his company said. After shooting the senior security guard in …
New York Times – Aug 21, 2015
A New Jersey man walked into a federal building near the SoHo neighborhood of Manhattan on Friday afternoon and fatally shot a security guard before killing himself, the authorities said. Law enforcement officials said the victim, Idrissa Camara, 53 …
New York Daily News – Aug 21, 2015
Idrissa Camara was fatally shot by veteran Kevin Downing. Suspected … Idrisa Camara could have been home with his children, but chose instead to put in a few hours of overtime — a decision that cost the security guard his life when a deranged gunman …
Daily Mail – Aug 21, 2015
FJC Security Services spokesman Michael McKeon said: ‘Camara, who was armed, was an extraordinary senior guard who was well trained, cared deeply about his job and knew that building better than anyone else. ‘It’s clear from the facts that he never had …
WABC-TV – Aug 21, 2015
The union, 32BJ, also released a statement saying, “We are shocked and horrified at this terrible news and send our deepest condolences to Officer Camara’s family. Security officers around the city and country serve on the front line each and every day …
ABC News – Aug 21, 2015
Detectives were investigating what prompted the shooting of FJC Security Services guard Idrissa Camara, who was supposed to have gotten off work at 4 p.m. but agreed to stay on for an extra shift. The shooter, Kevin Downing, entered through a side …
Fox News – Aug 21, 2015
Camara, 53, was supposed to have gotten off work at 4 p.m. but agreed to stay on for an extra shift, FJC Security Services said. He was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. The senior guard was armed, but had never had a chance to defend himself, …
FOX CT – Aug 21, 2015
Tonight, for the first time in our 27-year history, FJC Security Services lost a member of our family when senior guard Idrissa Camara was shot at 201 Varrick Street. He later died at Lenox Health Greenwich Village. Idrissa Camara, 53, of Manhattan …
NJ.com – 19 hours ago
Idrissa Camara, 53, an armed guard with FJC Security Services, was scheduled to end his shift at 4 p.m., but stayed about an hour into a second shift when he was fatally shot at close range, according to a company statement. “That speaks volumes about …
New York’s PIX11 / WPIX-TV – Aug 22, 2015
… of Labor Statistics, walked up to the metal detectors in the lobby and shot the guard at close range with a handgun. The security company said the 53-year-old guard died at a hospital. FJC Security Services said Idrissa Camara had been scheduled to …
CBS Local – Aug 22, 2015
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — A man shot a security officer who later died, and then took his own life, at a federal office building in the Hudson Square area Friday, police said. As CBS2’s Alice Gainer reported, the shooting happened at 5:05 p.m., in the …
Newsday – Aug 21, 2015
A security guard protecting a federal building in lower Manhattan was fatally shot Friday evening by a gunman, who then took his own life, authorities said. The shooting occurred shortly after 5 p.m. in the lobby of the building at 201 Varick St. near …
Patch.com – Aug 21, 2015
Police told reporters the victim was identified as 53-year-old Idrissa Camara. He was employed by FJC security services under contract to the Department of Homeland Security. The shooter has been identified as 68-year-old Kevin Downing, a former …
Fox News – Aug 21, 2015
… veteran slipped through a side door of a federal building on Friday and shot a security guard in the head, killing him, before killing himself, police said. Detectives were investigating what prompted the shooting ofFJC Security Services guard …
Tribune-Review – Aug 21, 2015
Detectives are investigating what prompted the shooting of FJC Security Services guard Idrissa Camara, 53. The shooter had no apparent ties to the company, FJC said in a statement. Kevin Downing, of Fort Lee, N.J., entered through a side entrance of …
Fredericksburg.com – 12 hours ago
NEW YORK—A man who gunned down a security guard at a federal building in Manhattan before killing himself was a whistleblower who had been given “a raw deal” by the agency that fired him, a New Jersey congressman who took up the man’s case said …
Fox News – 6 hours ago
As he approached a metal detector, Downing shot FJC Security Services guard Idrissa Camara in the head, police said. The guard would have been done for the day but agreed to stay for an extra shift, his company said. After shooting Camara, Downing …
ABC News – Aug 21, 2015
The gunman died at the scene. The guard, a 53-year-old man whom his employer identified as Idrissa Camara, was rushed to Lenox Hill Healthplex in traumatic arrest and later died. “Tonight, for the first time in our 27-year history, FJC Security …
Wall Street Journal – Aug 21, 2015
Corrections & Amplifications. The security officer was transported to Lenox Hill HealthPlex. An earlier version of this article said Bellevue Hospital. Idrissa Camara’s neighbor is named Kadia Diallo. An earlier version of this article misspelled her …
Raw Story – 22 hours ago
The guard, Idrissa Camara, 53, of New York, worked for FJC Security Services, which holds a contract with the Department of Homeland Security, said FJC spokesman Michael McKeon. Camara, who was armed, died at a hospital, he said in an emailed …
The Denver Post – 10 hours ago
… which oversees the bureau for which Downing once worked. As he approached a metal detector, Downing shot FJC Security Services guard Idrissa Camara in the head, police said. The guard would have been done for the day but had agreed to stay for an …
Philly.com – 9 hours ago
As he approached a metal detector, Downing shot FJC Security Services guard Idrissa Camara, police said. After shooting the senior security guard in the head at close range, Downing walked toward an elevator where he encountered another employee, …
WSPA.com – Aug 22, 2015
NEW YORK CITY — Investigators are trying to figure out why an armed veteran slipped through a side door of a federal building in Manhattan, fatally shooting a security guard before killing himself. Federal agents swarmed Kevin Downing’s home in Fort …
News 12 Westchester – Aug 21, 2015
… federal building in Manhattan late Friday afternoon and shot a security guard in the head, killing him, before turning the weapon on himself, police said. Detectives are investigating what prompted the shooting ofFJC Security Services guard …
Huffington Post – Aug 21, 2015
The security guard, identified as Idrissa Camara, was shot at close range and died in the hospital. Downing’s motive … Camara, 53, was supposed to have gotten off work at 4 p.m. but agreed to stay on for an extra shift, FJC Security Services said …
NorthJersey.com – 12 hours ago
Kevin Downing, the Fort Lee gunman who stormed into a federal building in lower Manhattan on Friday and killed a security guard, may have fallen through the cracks of a system set up to protect whistleblowers, according to one of the North Jersey …
RT – Aug 21, 2015
After confronting an FJC Security Services guard Idrissa Camara at a screening area, Downing shot him in the head at close range. The guard was armed but never had the chance to shoot back. The 53-year-old father of four succumbed to his fatal wound at …
A security guard protecting a federal building in lower Manhattan was fatally shot Friday evening by a gunman. Photo credit: WCBS-TV Image via YouTube … The contract security guard, Idrissa Camara, 53, of Manhattan, was unable to unholster his …
Patch.com – Aug 22, 2015
The security officer, Idrissa Camara, 53, was employed by FJC security services under contract to the Department of Homeland Security. After shooting the officer, the suspect proceeded through the security area and turned the gun on himself. He was …
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