The Two-Hour Terror in a New York Skyscraper

A Day of Chaos at 345 Park Avenue

For hundreds of employees working in the iconic 44-story skyscraper at 345 Park Avenue, a building located in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, Monday evening turned into an unforgettable and terrifying experience. As the sweltering July heat made its way through the city, commuters were heading home when the atmosphere shifted dramatically.

Workers in the building suddenly found themselves in a life-threatening situation. They barricaded conference rooms with tables and sent urgent messages to loved ones, hoping for the best. Jessica Chen, who works on the second floor, shared her emotional message with U.S. media: “I texted my parents, 'I love them.' Nothing can describe that feeling.”

The sudden chaos was triggered by the unexpected sound of gunshots coming from the lobby. The gunfire would result in the deaths of four people, including a New York police officer, as well as others in the lobby and on the 33rd floor. One man remains in critical condition in the hospital.

A Cross-Country Journey of Violence

Just moments before the chaos began, around 18:30 EST (23:30 BST), a 27-year-old man drove into one of the busiest areas in Manhattan. His journey spanned across Colorado, Nebraska, and Iowa, ending in New York City. Shane Tamura, from Las Vegas, parked his black BMW on Park Avenue, just blocks away from landmarks like Rockefeller Center and St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

Dressed in a jacket, button-down shirt, and sunglasses, Tamura carried an assault-style rifle and marched toward the skyscraper where the National Football League (NFL) was headquartered. However, he never reached the NFL offices.

As he approached the doors of 345 Park Avenue, he began "spraying" the lobby with gunfire. At first, he walked past a stationed officer, but then he turned and fired, killing 36-year-old New York police officer Didarul Islam, who leaves behind two children and a pregnant wife. Mayor Eric Adams described the tragic event, stating that the officer was slain in the entryway as soon as he entered the building.

Tamura continued his deadly path, firing at another woman taking cover behind a pillar. Wesley LePatner, a Blackstone employee, was killed during the incident. The company expressed their condolences, saying, “Our prayers are with her husband, children, and family.”

An NFL employee was seriously injured in the attack. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell addressed the staff, expressing concern for Craig Clementi, who was on his way home when he was shot. His father-in-law, Robert Hunter, shared that Clementi is now recovering from surgery.

A Mistaken Elevator Ride

As the gunfire continued, a security guard tried to activate an alarm system to disable the elevators, potentially preventing more casualties. Unfortunately, the guard, Aland Etienne, was “assassinated” while taking cover behind the counter, according to Mayor Adams.

After that, the gunman headed to an elevator. As he waited, a woman emerged and was allowed to exit unscathed. However, the lift he boarded took him to the wrong destination. Instead of reaching the NFL offices, he arrived at the 33rd floor offices of Rudin Management, the real-estate company that owns the building.

Frantic Messages and a Run for Help

Employees in the building sent frantic messages over email and Microsoft Teams, warning others about the shooter downstairs. Ms. Chen, who was watching a presentation on the second floor with about 150 other people, described the moment they heard the first shots. Some ran out through the back door, while others, including herself, took refuge in a conference room.

A photo circulating on social media appears to show Blackstone employees piling couches, desks, and other furniture in front of a door in a panic. Meanwhile, employees in the NFL offices received messages from the league warning them of gunfire. They were instructed to switch their phones to silent and hide until law enforcement arrived.

On the plaza outside the Park Avenue tower, law enforcement quickly responded to the scene. Nekeisha Lewis, sitting nearby with a friend, could hear the sounds of rapid gunfire from inside the skyscraper. She could see the gunman through the glass and witnessed someone running from the building, crying out for help after being shot.

A Final Act of Tragedy

Inside the building, Tamura roamed the 33rd floor, firing rounds as he traveled. He shot and killed his final victim before walking down a hallway and shooting himself in the chest. Authorities revealed that Tamura used an AR-15-style rifle he had assembled with a lower receiver purchased by an associate.

Investigators are still tracing Tamura’s trip from Las Vegas to New York City. A rambling three-page note was found on his body, in which he claimed to be suffering from CTE, a brain disease linked to head injuries from combat and contact sports. According to friends, Tamura played football as a teenager but not professionally. Mayor Adams stated that Tamura seemed to blame the NFL for his actions.

“Study my brain. I’m sorry,” the note said.