Authorities in New York City have identified the gunman responsible for the deaths of four people in a Manhattan office building on July 28, 2025, as Shane Devon Tamura. The 27-year-old was a former football player who lived in Las Vegas and made the long journey across the US to carry out this heinous act. He entered the building at 345 Park Avenue on Monday, shooting at least five people, killing four, and leaving one critically injured.
The Fatal Mass Shooting
According to officials, Tamura drove his black BMW across the country from his home in Las Vegas to New York City over two days. He arrived in Manhattan near the end of Monday evening and double-parked his sedan between 51st and 52nd street. From there, he carried an M4 rifle into the 345 Park Avenue building. He opened fire almost immediately and fatally shot an off-duty police officer identified as Didarul Islam.
Tamura continued to shoot, hitting a woman hiding behind a pillar before making his way to the elevators. He managed to shoot the security guard who was hiding behind the security desk and an NFL employee in the lobby. According to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, the employee is in stable condition after being rushed to the hospital.
Once inside an elevator, a woman walked past him, and he allowed her to leave alive. He traveled up to the 33rd floor and entered Rudin Management. Officials were uncertain whether he intended to go there or not, but they began firing as soon as he exited the elevator.
His fourth victim was fatally shot on that floor before Tamura walked down the hallway and shot himself in the chest. The N.Y.C. Police Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch has confirmed this series of events in a recent press conference. “We believe this to be a lone shooter and there is no active threat to the public,” Tisch said.
Photo from ABC10’s YouTube
Motive is Unknown
Law enforcement officials have yet to confirm the exact motive for Tamura’s shooting. However, PEOPLE was able to get confirmation that a suicide note was recovered from his body. It was found inside his pocket, detailing his illness, chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). It also names the NFL offices that are located on the fifth floor of the Park Avenue building. Other companies named in the note are The Blackstone Group, KPMG, Deutsche Bank, and Capital Trust.
In his note, he wrote, “Terry Long football gave me CTE, and it caused me to drink a gallon of antifreeze,” and “You can’t go against the NFL, they’ll squash you.” Long was a professional athlete suffering from CTE who died from drinking antifreeze a decade ago. Tamura requested his brain be studied and added in his note, “I’m sorry.”
Police Commissioner Tisch mentioned in her statement Monday that, “According to our law enforcement partners in Las Vegas, Mr. Tamura has a documented mental health history,” and his motives are still being investigated. She did not go into detail on Tamura’s mental health or this history of it but explained that CTE is a brain disease commonly found in athletes who play contact sports.
Who is Shane Tamura?
Shane Tamura was a 27-year-old security guard working at a casino in Las Vegas. He had a concealed firearm permit and appeared to have a low social media presence. He was running back for his high school football team, and many of his acquaintances voiced their shock to the media, including his former coach, Walter Roby. Tamura was known to have high energy and was considered a great player, so Roby was “blown away” by the news.
A former high school friend of Tamura, Caleb Clarke, told NBC News, “You never would have thought violence was something you’d associate with him.” He continued, “You know, he could make a joke about people, but that’s just typical. Shane was a jokester. Everything he said was a joke. He had a ton of energy.” Another former friend, Anthony Michael Leon, said he was shocked by the news. He said Tamura was quiet and did not exhibit any negative or bad energy.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988 or chatting at 988lifeline.org. This service is confidential, free, and available 24/7.
