Manhattan Shooting Suspect Identified as Shane Tamura, Ex-Football Player with CTE Concerns

The heart of Midtown Manhattan became the scene of a devastating tragedy on Monday evening, July 28, 2025, leaving four dead, including a dedicated NYPD officer, and a city in mourning. Authorities have swiftly identified the perpetrator as Shane Devon Tamura, a 27-year-old former football player from Las Vegas, Nevada, whose actions ended in a fatal confrontation and suicide inside a prestigious Park Avenue office tower.

The violence erupted shortly after 6:30 p.m. at 345 Park Avenue, a landmark skyscraper housing prominent firms including the NFL, Blackstone, and KPMG. Tamura, arriving in a black BMW registered in Nevada, exited the vehicle armed with an M4 rifle. He opened fire in the building lobby and again on the 33rd floor. Among the victims was NYPD Officer Didarul Islam, assigned to the 47th Precinct in the Bronx, hailed as a hero for his actions. Two other civilians also lost their lives. Responding officers evacuated the building under chaotic conditions. Tamura was later found dead on the 33rd floor from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest, according to NYPD Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey’s briefing on July 29th.

The Path of a Suspect: Shane Tamura’s Background

Tamura, a Las Vegas resident, had a history deeply intertwined with football. He was a standout running back in high school, graduating in 2016 after transferring to Granada Hills Charter School in Los Angeles for his senior year. Despite his athletic prowess, his dreams of an NFL career did not materialize. He worked most recently as a casino security guard in Las Vegas, holding an expired Nevada security work card. Records showed he was legally licensed to carry his firearm in Nevada until 2027. Investigators recovered a rifle case with rounds, ammunition magazines, a loaded revolver, and prescribed medication from his BMW parked near the scene, as confirmed by NYPD evidence logs.

Unraveling the Motive: Football, CTE, and Resentment

While the investigation is ongoing, a disturbing potential motive emerged. Tamura left a suicide note at the scene, obtained by investigators and described in official NYPD reports. The note expressed anger, linking his documented mental health struggles to football-related head trauma and specifically mentioning Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). He referenced former NFL player Terry Long, who died by suicide in 2005 after a CTE diagnosis, famously consuming antifreeze. Tamura’s note pleaded, “Terry Long football gave me CTE, and it caused me to drink a gallon of antifreeze. You can’t go against the NFL; they’ll squash you. Study my brain, please. I’m sorry.” This strongly suggests deep-seated resentment towards the NFL, whose headquarters occupy the fifth floor of the targeted building. The Clark County Coroner’s Office confirmed plans for a full neuropathological examination of Tamura’s brain to assess for CTE.

Community and Official Response

The attack sent shockwaves through New York. NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani expressed being “heartbroken” on social media platform X, holding victims and first responders in his thoughts. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries stated he was “deeply disturbed,” praying for the officer and all victims. The NYPD emphasized the bravery of responding officers and the profound loss of Officer Islam. Flags across the city flew at half-mast on July 29th in honor of the fallen officer.

The investigation continues, focusing on Tamura’s cross-country drive from Nevada, his mental health history (including a dismissed trespassing charge in Las Vegas), and the specific sequence of events leading to the targeted attack. The victims’ families and the city now grapple with the aftermath of senseless violence linked to a troubled individual’s despair and unfulfilled ambitions.

The tragic events at 345 Park Avenue, perpetrated by Shane Devon Tamura, underscore the devastating intersection of mental health crises, the long-term impacts of sports injuries, and the accessibility of firearms. As New York mourns Officer Didarul Islam and the other innocent lives lost, the plea found in Tamura’s note – “Study my brain” – becomes a chilling call for greater understanding and prevention. Support mental health resources in your community and advocate for responsible gun safety measures.

Must Know

1. Who was the Manhattan shooting suspect?
   The suspect was identified as Shane Devon Tamura, a 27-year-old former high school football player and casino security guard from Las Vegas, Nevada. He drove to New York City before carrying out the attack at 345 Park Avenue on July 28, 2025.
2. What was Shane Tamura’s motive for the Manhattan shooting?
   While the official investigation is ongoing, authorities revealed Tamura left a suicide note expressing anger and blaming Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), potentially linked to football, for his mental health struggles. He specifically referenced the NFL, whose offices were located in the targeted building, suggesting resentment over his failed career and perceived lack of support.
3. Who were the victims of the Park Avenue shooting?
   Four people were killed in the attack, including NYPD Officer Didarul Islam from the 47th Precinct in the Bronx. The identities of the three civilian victims have been released by the NYC Medical Examiner’s Office pending family notifications. Officer Islam was off-duty but intervened during the attack.
4. Did Shane Tamura have a history of violence or legal issues?
   Tamura had only one known prior encounter with law enforcement in Las Vegas – a trespassing charge that was later dismissed by prosecutors. His Nevada firearm license was valid until 2027. Authorities are investigating his mental health history and cross-country journey leading up to the shooting.
5. What happened to the Manhattan shooter?
   Shane Tamura died at the scene on the 33rd floor of 345 Park Avenue from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest, confirmed by the NYC Medical Examiner’s Office. His body was found after he killed four people.
6. Will Shane Tamura’s brain be studied for CTE?
   Yes, the Clark County Coroner’s Office (Nevada), where Tamura’s remains were repatriated, confirmed plans for a full neuropathological examination of his brain tissue to assess for evidence of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), as requested in his suicide note.