New York Shooting: A Failed Attack Targeting the NFL
An armed man, identified as Shane Tamura, caused the deaths of four people in a Manhattan office building before taking his own life. Authorities revealed that the attacker’s main target was NFL headquarters, but he took the wrong elevator.
According to investigations, Tamura, 27, and a casino worker in Las Vegas, intended to reach the NFL offices. New York City Mayor Eric Adams explained that the attacker entered the wrong elevator area.
Among the fatalities was Didarul Islam, an off-duty New York City police officer. Tamura, who played American football in high school but never in the NFL, had a history of mental illness, according to the police.
In the note found in Tamura’s wallet, it is suggested that he had a complaint against the NFL related to a suspected chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). This degenerative brain disease is linked to concussions and other repeated head traumas common in contact sports like American football.
In the note, Tamura repeatedly apologized and requested that his brain be studied for CTE.
Police Department
The note also mentioned former NFL player Terry Long, diagnosed with CTE, and the way Long took his own life in 2005. In addition, it accused the NFL of concealing the dangers to players’ brains for profit.The shooting occurred in the building located at 345 Park Avenue, a few blocks from Grand Central Terminal and Rockefeller Center. This location is also a short distance from where Brian Thompson, CEO of UnitedHealthcare, was murdered in December.
The NFL commissioner, Roger Goodell, called the shooting “an act of indescribable violence.” He reported that a league employee was seriously injured and was hospitalized in stable condition.
Goodell announced that security would be increased at the league’s offices and that employees in New York would work remotely at least until August 8. The office will remain closed during this time until it is confirmed that it is safe to return.Mayor Adams reported that Tamura’s background is being investigated, including his social media and any relevant information at his home.The police are questioning a man who supplied parts for the weapon used in the attack. The AR-15 style rifle was assembled with parts purchased by an associate of Tamura.
The surveillance video shows Tamura getting out of a BMW parked in a double row with a rifle, marching towards the skyscraper and opening fire in the lobby. The attacker shot at Officer Islam, who was off-duty and performing corporate security duties, and injured a woman who tried to take cover.
Then, Tamura headed to the elevator area, shooting a guard at the security desk and another man in the lobby.
NFL employees were ordered to shelter in place. The NFL offices are located between the fifth and eighth floors of the 44-story building.
Tamura took an elevator to the offices on the 33rd floor of the building’s owner, Rudin Management, where he shot and killed a person. Then he took his own life.
Blackstone confirmed that Wesley LePatner, a real estate executive, was among the deceased. Julia Hyman, an employee of Rudin Management, and security officer Aland Etienne also died.
