NYC Skyscraper Shooter Blames NFL for Brain Disease in 'Suicide Note'

The Tragic Shooting in Midtown Manhattan

A tragic shooting occurred inside a Midtown Manhattan skyscraper, resulting in the deaths of four people and leaving many others injured. The incident has raised concerns about mental health, gun laws, and the potential influence of sports-related injuries on individuals.

The shooter, identified as Shane Tamura, 27, was a Las Vegas casino security officer with a documented history of mental illness. He was carrying what police described as a "suicide note" that blamed the National Football League (NFL) for a degenerative brain disease he claimed to have. This note is believed to be the motive behind the attack.

Tamura killed two security guards, one of whom was a city policeman on security detail, as well as a real estate executive and a business management associate. He then took his own life on the 33rd floor of the Park Avenue skyscraper. An employee of the NFL, which has its headquarters in the building, was gravely wounded during the attack.

A Possible Motive Linked to CTE

According to New York City's police commissioner, Jessica Tisch, the suicide note mentioned Tamura's claim of suffering from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease linked to repeated head trauma. The note referenced a 2013 "Frontline" documentary featuring former NFL players who suffered from CTE. While the condition can only be diagnosed after death, it is associated with aggression and dementia.

In the note, Tamura reportedly wrote, "Study my brain. I'm sorry." This statement has sparked discussions about the long-term effects of contact sports and the responsibility of organizations like the NFL in addressing these issues.

Background on the Shooter

Tamura played football during high school in California, according to school sports databases. A former coach, Walter Roby, described him as a "quiet, hard worker" and one of his "top offensive players" on the Granada Hills Charter School team. However, he was never an NFL player.

Despite this, Tamura's connection to football may have influenced his actions. The NFL has paid over $1 billion to settle concussion-related lawsuits with thousands of retired players. The league has also implemented changes to reduce the risk of concussions in the sport.

Victims of the Shooting

The first victim slain on Monday was Didarul Islam, 36, a New York Police Department officer who immigrated to the U.S. from Bangladesh. He was the father of two young boys and was assigned to the building's security detail. His wife is pregnant with their third child.

Another victim was Aland Etienne, a private security officer, who was fatally shot in the lobby moments after Islam. Wesley LePatner, a senior real estate executive for Blackstone, was also killed. Several colleagues at Blackstone were injured during the attack.

Julia Hyman, a 2020 graduate of the Cornell Nolan School of Hotel Administration, was the last victim killed. She was working as an associate at Rudin Management, the real estate company that owns the building.

Impact on the Community

The Park Avenue skyscraper was closed to workers on Tuesday, as were some neighboring buildings. However, much of Park Avenue continued to operate normally. The shooting has left the community in shock and fear, with many questioning how such a tragedy could occur.

This incident follows last year's murder of a UnitedHealth executive outside a hotel located just a few blocks away. Prosecutors say the man charged with that murder targeted his victim as a symbol of corporate greed.

Mental Health and Gun Laws

Tamura appeared to have driven to Manhattan from Las Vegas over three days and acted alone, according to police. The NYPD is investigating an unnamed "associate" of Tamura who purchased a component of the "AR-15-style assault rifle" that he assembled for the killing spree.

Security video showed a man walking from a double-parked car into the Park Avenue tower carrying what police identified as an M4 Carbine, a large semi-automatic rifle popular with civilian U.S. gun enthusiasts. In Nevada, unlike New York, no permit is needed to buy a rifle or carry it openly in public.

Tamura had been detained for up to 72 hours under a "mental health crisis hold" in 2022 and 2024, according to records. These incidents highlight the need for better mental health support and stricter gun control measures.

Ongoing Investigations

The police are continuing to investigate Tamura's actions and the events leading up to the shooting. They are tracing his steps from Las Vegas to New York City, focusing on his possible connections and motives.

The NFL has asked its employees to work remotely through at least the end of next week. However, the league has not commented on the shooter's reported motives.

This tragic event underscores the importance of addressing mental health, gun laws, and the long-term effects of contact sports on athletes. As the investigation continues, the community remains united in mourning the victims and seeking answers.