Shane Tamura Identified as Midtown Manhattan Shooter in Office Building Rampage

The bustling heart of New York City became a scene of unimaginable tragedy Monday evening when gunfire erupted inside a prestigious Midtown office tower, leaving four dead—including an off-duty NYPD officer—and a city grappling for answers. Authorities have identified 27-year-old Shane Devon Tamura of Las Vegas as the lone gunman responsible for the carnage at 345 Park Avenue. The former high school football standout drove cross-country before unleashing violence in a building housing the NFL headquarters and major financial firms, leaving behind a chilling suicide note citing brain trauma from his athletic past.

The Timeline of Terror at 345 Park Avenue

According to the New York Police Department (NYPD), Tamura arrived at 345 Park Avenue around 6:30 p.m. on July 28, 2025, exiting a black BMW registered in his name. Armed with an M4 rifle, he entered the lobby and opened fire before proceeding to the 33rd floor. Panic spread through the building—home to the NFL, private equity giant Blackstone, and accounting firm KPMG—as employees took cover. Among the victims was Officer Didarul Islam, a dedicated member of the NYPD’s 47th Precinct in the Bronx, who was off-duty at the time. Two other civilians were fatally shot before Tamura died by suicide on the 33rd floor with a gunshot to the chest.

Inside Tamura’s vehicle, investigators recovered a rifle case with ammunition, a loaded revolver, prescription medication, and a Nevada firearm license valid through 2027. Police records show his only prior legal issue was a dismissed trespassing charge in Las Vegas. The rapid NYPD response included building evacuations and floor-by-floor sweeps, preventing further casualties. As noted in a July 29 New York Times report, the attack’s proximity to the NFL offices—located on the fifth floor—raised immediate questions about motive.

Who Was Shane Tamura?

Born in Hawaii and raised in Las Vegas, Shane Tamura was a 2016 graduate of Granada Hills Charter School in Los Angeles, where he excelled as a running back. Public records indicate he lived with his parents in a Desert Shores, Nevada, home purchased in 2021. Despite his athletic promise, Tamura’s football career stalled after high school. He worked sporadically as a casino security guard, holding an expired Nevada security license at the time of the attack.

Tamura’s suicide note, recovered at the scene, revealed a troubled mind fixated on chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)—a degenerative brain disease linked to repetitive head trauma in contact sports. He directly referenced Terry Long, a former Pittsburgh Steelers player who died by suicide in 2005 after a CTE diagnosis, writing: “Terry Long football gave me CTE… You can’t go against the NFL; they’ll squash you. Study my brain, please.” While law enforcement hasn’t confirmed targeting, the NFL’s presence in the building is a key investigative thread. Medical experts emphasize CTE can only be definitively diagnosed postmortem.

The Investigation and Lingering Questions

The NYPD and FBI are investigating Tamura’s cross-country drive, mental health history, and possible premeditation. Key findings include:

• Weapon Legality: All firearms were legally purchased in Nevada.
• Mental Health Focus: Tamura’s note explicitly tied his decline to football-related brain injury.
• NFL Nexus: The league’s office location is being analyzed, though no confirmed threat was made beforehand.

New York leaders responded with grief and resolve. Mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani called the shooting “horrific,” while House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries praised first responders. The Brain Injury Research Institute has urged examination of Tamura’s brain for CTE, according to a July 29 CBS News update.

The Midtown rampage by Shane Tamura has exposed fissures in mental health support for athletes and accessible firearm safeguards. As Officer Didarul Islam is mourned as a hero, Tamura’s CTE claims demand rigorous scientific scrutiny. This tragedy underscores an urgent need for comprehensive brain trauma protocols and early intervention systems. If you or someone you know is in crisis, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline immediately.

Must Know

Q: What motivated Shane Tamura’s attack?
A: While unconfirmed, Tamura’s suicide note blamed CTE from football and resentment toward the NFL. The league’s offices were in the targeted building, though police haven’t verified targeting.

Q: How did Shane Tamura obtain his weapons?
A: All firearms were legally purchased in Nevada, where Tamura held an active license. Investigators found multiple weapons in his vehicle post-attack.

Q: Did Tamura have a criminal background?
A: Only a dismissed trespassing charge in Las Vegas. He had no violent criminal history or prior warnings to law enforcement.

Q: What’s the connection between CTE and violence?
A: CTE is associated with cognitive decline and mood disorders, but causation for violence is unproven. Experts stress each case requires individual assessment.

Q: How many victims died in the shooting?
A: Four fatalities: Officer Didarul Islam and three civilians. No other injuries were reported.

Q: Was the NFL warned about Tamura?
A: No known threats were made. The league has cooperated fully with the ongoing investigation.