At the Empire State Building yesterday, the 9 bystanders who got shot were all shot by the police.

"Officers fired a total of 16 rounds; one officer shot nine while another one shot seven."

Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said the bystanders were not hit directly by police, but rather the officers' struck "flowerpots and other objects around, so ... their bullets fragmented and, in essence, that's what caused the wounds."

ADDED: More evidence of the need for gun control!