The heart of Midtown Manhattan became a war zone on Monday evening as Shane Devon Tamura, a 27-year-old from Las Vegas, unleashed a hail of gunfire inside 345 Park Avenue—a gleaming skyscraper housing corporate giants like the NFL, Blackstone, and KPMG. By the time the smoke cleared, four innocent lives were extinguished, including NYPD Officer Didarul Islam, and Tamura lay dead by his own hand. This stands as New York City’s deadliest mass shooting in 25 years.
The Attack: A Methodical Massacre
At approximately 6:30 PM ET, surveillance footage captured Tamura exiting a double-parked black BMW, gripping an M4 assault-style rifle. He marched calmly into the building lobby and immediately opened fire:
- First Victim: Officer Didarul Islam, working off-duty security, was shot in cold blood.
- Escalating Carnage: Tamura then targeted a woman hiding behind a pillar, sprayed gunfire across the lobby, and shot a security guard near the elevators.
- 33rd Floor Horror: Tamura rode an elevator to the offices of Rudin Management, where he killed one more person before turning the rifle on himself.
Eyewitness Nekeisha Lewis, dining nearby, described scenes of panic: “It felt like a quick two shots and then rapid fire… windows shattered, and a man ran out screaming, ‘Help, I’m shot.’”
The Shooter: From Football Star to “Pure Evil”
Tamura’s past paints a jarring contrast to his final act. He was a standout running back at Granada Hills Charter High School in Los Angeles, earning six “Player of the Game” awards his senior year. Former coach Walter Roby recalled him as a “hard worker” and “elusive player,” while classmates labeled him a “goofball” who cracked jokes constantly.
Yet, beneath the surface, Tamura battled demons. Police confirmed he had a “documented mental health history” and was prescribed medication found in his car. Most chillingly, a suicide note discovered in his pocket raged against the NFL and football’s legacy of brain trauma:
“Terry Long football gave me CTE and it caused me to drink a gallon of antifreeze… You can’t go against the NFL, they’ll squash you. Study my brain please.”
CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy) is a degenerative brain disease linked to repeated head injuries—common among football players. It can cause impulsivity, aggression, and depression. While CTE can only be definitively diagnosed postmortem, Tamura’s note suggests he blamed the sport for his unraveling mind.
Cross-Country Journey to Carnage
Tamura’s path to violence was methodical:
- Drove from Las Vegas to NYC over three days, passing through Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, and New Jersey.
- Vehicle Contents: Police found a rifle case, loaded revolver, ammunition magazines, and prescribed meds in his BMW.
- Nevada Licenses: Held a valid concealed carry permit and an expired private investigator license.
The Fallen Heroes
The attack claimed four lives:
- Officer Didarul Islam, 36: An immigrant from Bangladesh hailed as a “true blue hero” by Mayor Eric Adams. He leaves behind a pregnant wife and two young sons.
- Three Civilians: Names not yet released; one was killed on Rudin Management’s 33rd floor.
- The Injured: An NFL employee remains in critical but stable condition. Commissioner Roger Goodell confirmed league staff are supporting his family.
Lingering Questions
- Why 345 Park Avenue? The building houses the NFL (5th floor), but Tamura targeted the 33rd floor (Rudin Management). No confirmed link exists.
- Mental Health & CTE: Could repeated head injuries from football have contributed? Tamura’s brain will likely be studied per his request.
- Gun Access: Despite mental health struggles, Tamura legally owned multiple firearms in Nevada.
A City in Mourning
As NYPD officers lined the streets to salute Officer Islam’s flag-draped casket, Commissioner Jessica Tisch declared: “He died as he lived—a hero.” Meanwhile, a nation grapples with its 254th mass shooting this year.
🖼️ Images from the Tragedy:
⚠️ If You or Someone You Know Needs Help:
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call or text 988
- Crisis Text Line: Text “HOME” to 741741
- International Association for Suicide Prevention: Find Global Resources