Midtown Office Shooting: Gunman Targeted NFL, Mayor Says

Background of the Shooting and Suspect

Authorities have revealed that the gunman who opened fire in a Midtown Manhattan office building on Monday night, resulting in four deaths and one injury, had a history of mental illness. The suspect, Shane Tamura, was believed to be targeting the NFL, according to officials. He died by suicide after the mass shooting at 345 Park Avenue, which houses the NFL headquarters. Police sources shared with ABC News that Tamura had a three-page note in his pocket claiming he suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

Tamura, 27, played high school football in Los Angeles but did not pursue a professional career. Despite his claim of CTE, no evidence has been found so far that he had a traumatic brain injury or the condition itself. Additionally, there is no known connection between Tamura and the NFL.

At the end of the shooting, Tamura shot himself in the chest at the offices of Rudin Management on the 33rd floor of the building. Officials later discovered his handwritten suicide note. In the note, Tamura claimed to suffer from CTE, possibly due to playing high school football, and wrote, "Study my brain, I'm sorry." A second note was also found in Las Vegas, where Tamura lived, and it reportedly included an apology to his parents.

Vigil for Victims and Families

A vigil was held Tuesday night to honor the lives lost in the tragic shooting. The event took place in Bryant Park, where funeral flowers were displayed, and it served as an outdoor, ecumenical worship service for the victims, their families, and the city. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch attended the vigil and expressed her deep sorrow over the loss of a personal friend, Wesley LePatner, a 43-year-old Blackstone employee and mother of two children.

Suspect's Actions and Security Concerns

Surveillance footage showed Tamura carrying a long rifle across the building’s plaza before entering the front doors and immediately opening fire. Mayor Eric Adams noted that the suspect may have taken the wrong elevator bank, leading him directly to the 33rd floor instead of the NFL headquarters. However, the mayor emphasized that the suspect’s intent appeared to be targeting NFL employees.

Adams described the moment when Tamura allowed a woman to exit the elevator without being harmed as “eerie.” The founder of Group 77, a security and public safety team, commented on the vulnerabilities of even the best security systems, highlighting that human error or unforeseen circumstances could still lead to such tragedies.

NFL's Response and Victim Details

The NFL announced that its New York office would remain closed through the end of next week, August 8, and asked employees to work remotely until then. The victims of the shooting included:

• NYPD Officer Didarul Islam, a 36-year-old Bangladeshi immigrant and father of two.
• Wesley LePatner, a Blackstone employee remembered as brilliant and passionate.
• Aland Etienne, a SEIU security officer who took his job seriously.
• Julia Hyman, an employee at Rudin Property Management and a Cornell graduate.

A fifth individual, an NFL employee, was injured and is currently stable after surgery.

Mental Health and Legal History

Police traced Tamura’s movements through multiple states, noting that his BMW entered New York about two hours before the shooting. Tamura had two Mental Health Crisis Holds in Nevada in 2022 and 2024, which typically allow for up to 72 hours of detention if a person is deemed a danger to themselves or others. He also obtained a concealed carry license in 2022 and had a previous trespassing arrest.

Sources indicate that Tamura worked at Horseshoe Casino in Las Vegas and had a note referencing “Rick,” believed to be his supervisor, who is suspected of purchasing the lower receiver of the rifle used in the shooting.

Investigation and Political Reactions

NYPD detectives are traveling to Las Vegas to investigate further, including tracing the firearms used in the attack. They are also looking into where the shooter purchased the remaining parts of the M4-style rifle.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul called for an assault weapons ban, emphasizing the need for national action to prevent similar tragedies. She ordered state flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of the victims. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump expressed his condolences on social media, stating that he trusted law enforcement to uncover the truth behind the shooting.

The tragedy has sparked widespread grief and calls for stronger gun control measures, with many urging Congress to take decisive action to prevent future incidents.