Authorities report that a gunman who fatally shot four individuals at a skyscraper in New York City on Monday evening left behind a note implicating the National Football League (NFL) in a brain injury. Mayor Eric Adams confirmed this detail.
The assailant, identified as 27-year-old Shane Tamura from Las Vegas, Nevada, died by suicide after opening fire inside the building. Although the NFL has headquarters in the vicinity, Tamura reportedly accessed a different section of the building after entering the wrong elevator.
According to Mayor Adams, the note found on the suspect alluded to CTE, a brain disease resulting from head trauma, as a factor in his mental state.
While Tamura played football during his teenage years, former teammates have indicated to U.S. media outlets that he did not participate in the NFL.
Among the deceased was New York City Police Officer Didarul Islam, 36, who was serving as a security guard at the building.
Another victim was identified as Wesley LePatner, an employee of the financial firm Blackstone, as confirmed by her company.
Two additional male civilians were killed in the incident. An NFL employee sustained serious injuries during the attack, according to a message from league commissioner Roger Goodell to staff.
U.S. President Donald Trump, currently visiting Scotland, issued a statement acknowledging he had been briefed on the “tragic shooting.”
The statement conveyed Trump’s confidence in U.S. law enforcement agencies to “get to the bottom of why this crazed lunatic committed such a senseless act of violence.”
When questioned about a potential motive for Tamura’s actions, Mayor Eric Adams told CBS News, “[He] did have a note on him. The note alluded to that he felt he had CTE, a known brain injury for those who participate in contact sports.”
“He appeared to have blamed the NFL for his injury,” Adams stated.
CTE, or chronic traumatic encephalopathy, is a degenerative brain disease associated with repeated head trauma.
According to a senior official who spoke to ABC News, Tamura’s note allegedly stated, “study my brain please,” followed by “I’m sorry.”
Former high school teammates of the alleged attacker, who played American football in California, expressed shock to NBC News.
A former classmate remembered Tamura as having a jovial personality, while a former coach described him as a talented and diligent running back who was “a great player.”
The gunman reportedly drove across the country from Las Vegas to New York, utilizing an assault-style rifle in the attack at 345 Park Avenue.
After initiating the shooting in the building’s lobby, Tamura is believed to have taken an elevator to the 33rd floor of the skyscraper and continued firing.
Mayor Adams indicated that a preliminary investigation suggests the gunman mistakenly went to the office of Rudin Management, the building’s owner.
Tamura subsequently died by suicide.
The incident caused disruptions to parts of Midtown Manhattan and public transportation. A BBC journalist at the scene reported numerous police vehicles and at least one individual with a bloodied chest being transported via stretcher.
Bystanders reported hearing sounds resembling gunshots, and police instructed those in the vicinity, including the BBC journalist, to seek shelter in nearby buildings.
Police conducted a floor-by-floor sweep of the building, which lasted several hours.
Nekeisha Lewis recounted hearing gunfire while dining with friends on the plaza, describing the experience to NBC News as feeling “like you were in a warzone almost.”
Lewis stated that she witnessed an injured man fleeing the building and characterized the incident as “literally the most scary situation I’ve ever been in.”
City officials paid tribute to Islam, who immigrated to the U.S. from Bangladesh, was a father of two, and expecting a third child with his pregnant wife.
“He was doing the job that we asked him to do,” stated New York Police Commissioner Jennifer Tisch. “He put himself in harm’s way. He made the ultimate sacrifice.”
Tisch added, “He died as he lived – a hero.”
Members of Islam’s Bangladeshi community informed the New York Times that Islam had immigrated to the U.S., worked as security for a school, and later became a police officer. They described him as an active member of his mosque who mentored young men in the area.
Blackstone described employee Wesley LePatner as “brilliant, passionate, warm, generous, and deeply respected within our firm and beyond.”
“She embodied the best of Blackstone,” the company stated.
Details regarding the two other victims, or the NFL employee injured in the shooting, have not yet been released to the public.
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