A harrowing episode of violence unfolded in midtown Manhattan when 27-year-old Shane Tamura unleashed gunfire inside a Park Avenue skyscraper, killing four people, including an NYPD officer, before taking his own life. As investigators attempt to piece together the motive behind the mass shooting, a suicide note found on the gunman has offered critical clues, including a reference to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and the National Football League, as per a report by the New York Post.

The shooting, which occurred Monday evening at 345 Park Avenue, a prestigious office tower that houses the NFL headquarters, has rattled the city, raising fresh concerns about mental health, workplace security, and sports-related trauma.

NYC Shooting: Gunman Leaves Behind Note Citing NFL, CTE

Shane Tamura, who previously played high school football and later worked as a security guard in Las Vegas, reportedly blamed football for his deteriorating mental health in a note recovered near his body on the 33rd floor of the building. Law enforcement officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the multi-page note pointed to the sport's connection with CTE, a progressive neurodegenerative disease linked to repeated head injuries, as per the New York Post.

Tamura’s note, according to sources quoted in a report by New York Post, explicitly names the NFL and draws a chilling parallel to Terry Long, a former Pittsburgh Steelers player who died by suicide in 2006 after reportedly suffering from CTE.

“You can’t go against the NFL, they’ll squash you,” the note allegedly reads. Tamura also urged for his brain to be examined after death, a request that reflects his belief that undiagnosed CTE may have contributed to his mental decline.

Manhattan Shootout: A Timeline of the Park Avenue Shooting

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch outlined the sequence of events that led to the fatal attack, as per a report by New York Post:

• At around 6:28 p.m., Tamura was seen parking a black BMW between 51st and 52nd Streets, stepping out with an M4-style assault rifle.
• Entering the building, he immediately shot and killed Officer Didarul Islam, 36, before fatally shooting a woman hiding behind a pillar and a security guard stationed at the desk.
• One additional person in the lobby, identified as an NFL employee, was shot and critically wounded but survived.
• Tamura then allowed an elevator passenger to exit unharmed before taking the lift to the 33rd floor — occupied by Rudin Management — where he continued firing.
• A fourth fatality was recorded on that floor before Tamura turned the gun on himself.

By 7:52 p.m., NYPD confirmed that the situation had been contained and the lone shooter was deceased.

NYC Shooting: Victims Include Officer and Office Workers

Among the four individuals killed was Officer Didarul Islam, who had served with distinction in the NYPD for over a decade. The other victims included a security guard, a woman visitor, and an office employee. A fifth individual, who is recovering in stable condition, is believed to work for the NFL, according to an internal communication sent by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.

The NFL’s offices occupy the fifth through eighth floors of the tower, but Tamura bypassed them and headed straight to the 33rd floor. Authorities have not confirmed whether Tamura had specific grievances against any individuals inside the building.

NYC Shooting: Mental Health and Football Connection of Shane Tamura

Tamura’s background paints a complex portrait. Once a standout running back at Granada Hills Charter in Los Angeles, Tamura was praised by former coaches for his dedication and quiet leadership. “He was one of my top offensive players,” recalled former coach Walter Roby, adding that Tamura “led by example” on the field.

However, in his later years, Tamura struggled with mental health, a fact acknowledged by Commissioner Tisch during a press conference. He had a “documented mental health history,” she said, though details remain undisclosed.

His suicide note directly references CTE, a condition that can only be definitively diagnosed posthumously through brain autopsy. Symptoms may include memory loss, impulsiveness, aggression, and severe mood disturbances — traits that have been observed in other athletes who were later found to have the disease, according to the New York Post report.

Shane Tamura: A Tragic Fall From Promise

Tamura graduated from Golden Valley High School in 2016 before transferring to Granada Hills, where he quickly rose as a key player. Sports reports from the time show him earning six “Player of the Game” awards during his senior season. One video from 2015 captures a then-teenaged Tamura scoring a 69-yard touchdown to lead his team to victory, offering a stark contrast to the tragic end of his life nearly a decade later.

Former classmates have expressed disbelief. “It looked like the sky was the limit, and then it wasn’t anymore,” said Caleb Clarke, a high school peer.

NYC Shooting: NFL Yet to Issue Full Statement

While the NFL has confirmed one of its employees was injured, it has not yet addressed the broader implications of Tamura’s note. The league has faced increasing scrutiny over CTE, particularly after a 2017 study by Boston University found signs of the disease in 110 of 111 brains of deceased former NFL players.

Public health experts say Tamura’s case, if indeed linked to football-related head trauma, could further fuel the debate about long-term neurological risks in contact sports.

Manhattan Shooting: Investigation Ongoing

Authorities are continuing to investigate the precise motivations and any possible premeditated targets Tamura may have had. Investigators are also examining whether he legally acquired the high-powered firearm used in the attack.

Meanwhile, security protocols at high-rise commercial buildings are under review, particularly in areas like Midtown Manhattan, where corporate offices, including those of globally recognized entities like the NFL, attract heavy foot traffic.

“This was an isolated incident involving a lone shooter,” Tisch stated, but acknowledged that the psychological aftermath would reverberate well beyond those directly involved.

FAQs

Who was the gunman involved in the NYC shooting?

The shooter was identified as 27-year-old Shane Tamura, a former high school football player and ex-security guard. He died by suicide after killing four individuals during a mass shooting at a Park Avenue skyscraper in Manhattan.

What was the location of the NYC shooting?

The incident occurred at 345 Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, a high-rise office tower that houses the headquarters of the National Football League (NFL).