Introduction to the Incident
A gunman who killed four people at a Manhattan office building before killing himself claimed in a note to have a brain disease linked to contact sports and was trying to target the National Football League’s headquarters but took the wrong elevator, officials said Tuesday. Investigators believe Shane Tamura, of Las Vegas, was trying to get up to the NFL offices after shooting several people in the lobby on Monday but entered the wrong elevator bank, Mayor Eric Adams said in interviews.
Background of the Gunman
Four people were killed, including an off-duty New York City police officer, Didarul Islam. Tamura, who played high school football in California nearly two decades ago but never in the NFL, had a history of mental illness, police said. A three-page note found in his wallet suggested he had a grievance against the NFL over a claim that he suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy. The degenerative brain disease has been linked to concussions and other repeated head trauma common in contact sports such as football, but it can only be diagnosed after someone has died.
Motivations and Claims
In the note, Tamura repeatedly said he was sorry and asked that his brain be studied for CTE, according to the police department. The note also referenced former NFL player Terry Long, who was diagnosed with CTE, and the manner in which Long killed himself in 2005. The note accused the NFL of concealing the dangers to players’ brains for profit. The NFL long denied the link between football and CTE, but it acknowledged the connection in 2016 testimony before Congress and has paid more than $1.4 billion to retired players to settle concussion-related claims.
Response from the NFL
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell called the shooting “an unspeakable act of violence in our building,” saying he was deeply grateful to the law enforcement officers who responded and the officer who gave his life to protect others. Goodell said in a memo to staff that a league employee was seriously injured in the attack and was hospitalized in stable condition.
Details of the Shooting
The shooting happened along Park Avenue, one the nation’s most recognized streets, and just blocks from Grand Central Terminal and Rockefeller Center. It’s also less than a 15-minute walk from where UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot and killed last December by a man who prosecutors say was angry over corporate greed. The building houses the NFL and other well-known businesses. Investigators found that Tamura drove across the country over the past few days and made his way into New York City just before the shooting, Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said.
Investigation Findings
Surveillance video showed the gunman exiting a double-parked BMW early Monday evening with a rifle, then marching across a plaza and into the skyscraper, which is also home to investment firm Blackstone and other companies. It was closed Tuesday except to investigators. He then sprayed the lobby with gunfire, killing Islam, who was off-police duty and working a corporate security detail, and hitting a woman who tried to take cover, Tisch said. He next made his way to the elevator bank, shooting a guard at a security desk and another man in the lobby, the commissioner said.
Victims and Aftermath
Blackstone confirmed that one of its employees, real estate executive Wesley LePatner, was among those killed. Security officer Aland Etienne also died, according to a local labor union. The officer who was killed was from Bangladesh. Islam, 36, had served as a police officer in New York City for 3½ years and was an immigrant from Bangladesh, Tisch said at a news conference. His body was draped in the New York Police Department flag as it was moved from the hospital to an ambulance, with fellow officers standing at attention.
Conclusion
The incident highlights the tragic consequences of untreated mental health issues and the potential long-term effects of contact sports on athletes. It also underscores the importance of addressing grievances and providing support to those who may be struggling. The NFL and other sports organizations must continue to work towards acknowledging and mitigating the risks associated with their sports, and towards providing adequate support and resources to their players.
FAQs
- Q: Who was the gunman in the New York shooting?
A: The gunman was identified as Shane Tamura, a resident of Las Vegas. - Q: What was the motive behind the shooting?
A: Tamura claimed to have a brain disease linked to contact sports, specifically chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), and was trying to target the NFL headquarters. - Q: How many people were killed in the shooting?
A: Four people were killed, including an off-duty New York City police officer, Didarul Islam. - Q: What was the response from the NFL?
A: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell called the shooting an "unspeakable act of violence" and expressed gratitude to the law enforcement officers who responded. - Q: What is CTE and how is it related to contact sports?
A: CTE is a degenerative brain disease linked to concussions and repeated head trauma common in contact sports such as football. It can only be diagnosed after someone has died.
