Manhattan Shooting Sparks Conspiracy Theories About Number 33

The horror of a mass shooting often leaves a vacuum desperate for meaning. In the wake of Monday’s tragedy at 345 Park Avenue, where four innocent lives were tragically cut short, online conspiracy theorists have rushed to fill that void, fixating not on the victims or the gunman’s documented struggles, but on a single, chilling detail: the Manhattan shooting ended on the 33rd floor.

Shane Tamura, who reportedly traveled from Las Vegas driven by anger towards the NFL over past injuries, opened fire on the ground floor of the Midtown Manhattan office building. He killed three people and injured another before taking an elevator upwards. On the 33rd floor, he fatally shot a fourth victim, Wesley LePatner, CEO of a Blackstone subsidiary, and then turned the gun on himself, as confirmed by NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban in a July 29th press conference. Mayor Eric Adams stated the gunman’s motive appeared rooted in grievances against the NFL, headquartered elsewhere in the building.

The Weight of Numerology: Why 33?

Almost immediately, the specific floor where Tamura ended his rampage became a focal point for speculation on social media platform X. The number 33 holds significant weight in various conspiracy lore, often linked to Freemasonry, biblical prophecy (Jesus Christ’s age at crucifixion), and even alleged Satanic symbolism.

“33 is their favorite number,” one user declared emphatically, connecting it to Freemasons supposedly mocking Christ. “He didn’t climb 33 floors by chance and land at BLACKSTONE,” tweeted another (@Emilia__writes), implying deliberate, shadowy orchestration. “Too many of these events feel staged for the shadows.” Theories multiplied, attempting to link the number to building management (Rudin Management), Gematria (numerical values assigned to letters, claiming “New York” equals 666), and broader, unfounded claims of a “psyop” or staged event.

BRO WTF!!!! The 33rd floor is owned by “Rudin management” The Manhattan shooter drives from Vegas to NYC to go up to the 33rd floor? What’s New York in gematria?… 666! Rudin? 333! Holy psyop. Is this the beginning of something much bigger? Feels like the start of something to me pic.twitter.com/KwqwsAQTRF

— Keith 🇺🇸✝️ (@Americaonly9) July 29, 2025

Separating Speculation from Investigative Reality

While the number 33 fueled intense online debate, law enforcement officials presented a starkly different narrative, grounded in preliminary evidence. Authorities have consistently pointed to Tamura’s documented history of mental health struggles and his specific, long-held resentment towards the NFL as the primary motivators, as reported by major outlets like The New York Times and Associated Press on July 29th. There has been no indication from the NYPD or the FBI that the choice of the 33rd floor held any symbolic significance for Tamura himself, nor any evidence linking the attack to secret societies or occult rituals. The building’s layout and the circumstances of Tamura’s movements, seeking targets after the initial shooting, offer a more mundane explanation for his location.

Must Know

1. What happened in the Manhattan shooting on July 28th? A gunman, identified as Shane Tamura, opened fire at 345 Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan. He killed three people on the ground floor, injured another, then proceeded to the 33rd floor where he killed a fourth victim before dying by suicide.
2. Who were the victims of the Park Avenue shooting? Among the four victims was NYPD Officer Didarul Islam, killed on the ground floor. Wesley LePatner, CEO of a Blackstone subsidiary, was killed on the 33rd floor. The names of the other two victims have been released by NYPD with family consent.
3. What was the shooter’s motive according to authorities? New York City Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD officials stated the gunman harbored anger towards the NFL, blaming them for injuries sustained during high school football. He reportedly traveled from Las Vegas specifically to target the league’s offices, located within the same building but not on the 33rd floor.
4. Why are people talking about the number 33? The shooting ended on the 33rd floor. Conspiracy theorists online have latched onto this, citing the number’s prominence in theories about Freemasonry (the 33rd degree is the highest in Scottish Rite), biblical references (Jesus’ age at crucifixion), and alleged occult symbolism.
5. Is there any evidence supporting the conspiracy theories? No. Law enforcement agencies investigating the Manhattan shooting have provided no information suggesting the floor number held any significance for the gunman or that the attack was linked to secret societies, numerology, or staged events. The focus remains on the shooter’s mental state and his grievance against the NFL.
6. What company is on the 33rd floor of 345 Park Avenue? The 33rd floor houses offices managed by Rudin Management. One of the victims on that floor, Wesley LePatner, was CEO of a company under the Blackstone investment umbrella.

As investigators continue piecing together the final moments of Shane Tamura’s life and the profound loss suffered by the families of Officer Didarul Islam, Wesley LePatner, and the other victims, the fixation on the number 33 serves as a stark reminder of how easily tragedy can be twisted into unfounded narrative. While the human mind seeks patterns, the Manhattan shooting appears rooted in the all-too-real despair of an individual, not the cryptic symbols of conspiracy. Respect for the victims and support for those affected must remain paramount. Follow official NYPD updates for verified information.