Life Returns to Midtown After Tragic Shooting Near Park Avenue

A Day of Reflection and Fear After a Tragic Shooting

Nearly 24 hours after a deadly mass shooting in Midtown left four people dead, including an off-duty police officer, detectives from the NYPD Crime Scene Unit were seen examining the plaza outside 345 Park Ave. on Tuesday. The scene was marked by two shattered lobby windows, a grim reminder of the violence that unfolded when 27-year-old Shane Tamura opened fire on the ground and 33rd floors of the building before ultimately taking his own life.

A row of television crews stood near the entrance of 345 Park Ave., which remains partially cordoned off, as a growing memorial of flowers surrounded the plaza. Police officers were stationed at key entrances around the building, while workers and local vendors returned to their nearby posts, still under the weight of a quiet unease.

The office tower is home to the NFL headquarters and other high-profile tenants. Investigators are still looking into whether Tamura had specifically targeted the league’s offices. Among the victims was Police Officer Didarul Islam, who was working a security detail inside the building when the shooting occurred. His death has deeply affected private security guards in the neighborhood, many of whom view officers posted in Midtown as part of an extended workplace family.

Jay, a security guard at the neighboring 375 Park Ave., said he was home when the shooting happened but felt its impact as soon as he returned to work. “I didn’t know him personally,” Jay said of Officer Islam, “but when I heard a fellow officer was killed, it hit hard. That could’ve been any of us.” Like others, Jay’s building is still on high alert, with discussions about potentially increasing security measures. However, the heavy police presence in the area brings some comfort.

Stories of Shock and Trauma

Nearby office workers shared their experiences of learning about the shooting through messages and alerts that spread quickly through email threads and Slack channels. Charles, 23, who works at 280 Park Ave., said his building did not go into lockdown, but people were on edge. “There were a lot of messages going back and forth about the shooting — mostly warnings to stay safe,” he said. “We left about 30 minutes later than usual, just to be sure.”

Scott Corcoran, who works around the block, left at 5:30 p.m. before the shooting. “It’s crazy that something could happen like that,” he said. “I actually know the engineers of this building, too. Could have been one of them. Thankfully, I reached out to the people I knew, and they weren't here.”

Robert Weathers, who works on Park Ave. and 49th St., was not in Midtown at the time of the shooting but was still “shocked, and maybe sadly, desensitized” to learn of Tamura's cross-country journey to carry out the act of gun violence. “I grew up in Chicago, New York, to me, it's one of the safest places compared to there,” he said. “But we've seen our society falling apart for a while. Got Donald Trump helping with that, too.”

Returning to Normalcy Amid Uncertainty

Osvaldo López, a line cook at the Lobster Club on East 53rd Street, said he watched the events unfold through live videos and now feels “weird” being back at work. He regularly takes lunch breaks sitting on the steps of 345 Park Ave., where he would always see police, security, and the people who walked in. Reflecting on returning to normal, he said, “It doesn't feel right. You see all this, and it reminds you of what happened yesterday. I could have never expected something like this to happen.”

Vincent Torres, who works at 595 Madison Ave., said he went home at 2 p.m. Monday. Shortly afterward, a coworker called him to tell him what had happened. “We walked right over there,” he said, pointing toward 345 Park Ave. “Yeah. So we couldn't believe it. Honestly, it was a little crazy. But yeah, you never know what people go through.”

Torres, who does electrical work in Midtown buildings but has never worked inside 345 Park Ave., said returning to the neighborhood Tuesday felt routine. “This New York City, every day, it's something new,” he said. “People are crazy. I don't know what else to say, but he must have lost it. I don't know what that — what he was going through. But, you know, everyone is going through their own problems. I guess he dealt with them the wrong way.”

When asked if he feels safe, Torres responded, “I’m safe. Everyone is safe. I feel safe. I’m walking around, I'm getting lunch right next to the place.”