Who Killed in NYC? The Truth About Shane Tamura

Background of the Shooter

Midtown Manhattan was thrown into chaos on the evening of July 28, 2025, when a lone gunman entered a Park Avenue skyscraper and opened fire, resulting in the deaths of four individuals and injuring another. The shooter then took his own life, bringing an end to the tragic incident. The suspect involved in the attack was identified as Shane Tamura, who had allegedly traveled across the country to carry out this shocking act.

A High School Football Star

Tamura spent his teenage years in Southern California, where he attended Golden Valley High School in Santa Clarita before transferring to Granada Hills Charter High School. He joined the football team at the latter school, and according to former assistant coach Walter Roby, Tamura was described as "a quiet, hard worker" who led others through "his actions on the field."

One of Tamura's former classmates and teammates, Caleb Clarke, mentioned that the suspect was "a jokester" in high school and added that he "never would have thought violence was something you’d associate with" the alleged suspect in their early years. Clarke believed that a future in athletics was "definitely on the table" for his former classmate, who had apparently become aware of his peers' admiration for him.

Career in Security and Firearms

After leaving high school, Tamura entered the security industry. He later moved to Las Vegas, where he worked in the surveillance department at the Horseshoe Hotel and Casino at the time of his trip to New York City. Tamura held a concealed firearms permit, which was found at the scene of the shooting. This permit was issued in 2022 and was set to expire in 2027. Additionally, he obtained a private-investigator license in Nevada in 2019, although it eventually expired.

Tamura had two mental health crisis holds in Nevada in 2022 and 2024. These holds typically allow for an individual to be held for up to 72 hours if they are found to be a potential danger to themselves or others.

Cross-Country Drive and Weapons Found

Tamura’s vehicle had been driven across the country prior to the mass shooting. A BMW registered in his name in Nevada was found in Manhattan. The car passed through Colorado on Saturday, July 26, made it to Iowa the following day, and was in Columbia, New Jersey just a few hours before the shootings.

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch stated that officials found a loaded revolver, ammunition, a rifle case with rounds, and multiple magazines in the vehicle. In addition to the weapons and ammunition, medication prescribed to Tamura was also found in the car.

Claims of CTE and NFL Allegations

Police discovered a note on Tamura claiming he had been suffering from the effects of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). This condition is typically found in individuals with lengthy histories of repeated head impacts. Tamura referenced former NFL player Terry Long, who was posthumously diagnosed with the condition after drinking antifreeze. In his note, Tamura claimed the league "failed us."

Despite never having played professional football, Tamura alleged that the NFL "knowingly concealed the dangers to our brains to maximize profits." He claimed the league would "squash" anyone who attempted to "go against" it and made a request for his brain to be examined for signs of CTE.