A 27-year-old man opened fire in a Manhattan skyscraper, killing four people before taking his own life, authorities confirmed. The shooter, identified as Shane Tamura from Las Vegas, left behind a note suggesting he blamed the National Football League (NFL) for a brain injury he believed contributed to his mental decline.
According to officials, Tamura mistakenly entered the wrong office in the Park Avenue building, where the NFL has its headquarters. Instead, he ended up in a different section of the high-rise before carrying out the attack. Among the victims was an off-duty NYPD officer working security, a Blackstone employee, and two civilians. An NFL staff member was also critically wounded.
Investigators found a handwritten message in which Tamura referenced chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain condition linked to repeated head trauma, often seen in athletes. The note reportedly included a plea for his brain to be studied, followed by an apology.
Tamura had played high school football in California but never competed professionally. Former teammates described him as a dedicated player with a bright future, making his violent turn all the more shocking.
The attack caused chaos in Midtown Manhattan, with witnesses describing scenes of panic as gunfire erupted. Police locked down the area, evacuating the building floor by floor in a painstaking operation that lasted hours.
The fallen officer, Didarul Islam, was hailed as a hero. A father of two with another child on the way, he had immigrated from Bangladesh and was remembered as a pillar of his community. Meanwhile, colleagues mourned Wesley LePatner, the Blackstone employee killed in the shooting, praising her as a brilliant and beloved team member.
Authorities are still piecing together Tamura’s motives and movements leading up to the attack. He reportedly drove cross-country before arriving in New York armed with a rifle. The tragedy has reignited discussions about gun violence and mental health, particularly concerning athletes and brain injuries.
As the city grapples with the aftermath, officials vow a thorough investigation while offering condolences to the victims’ families.
