NYC Shooting: Gunman Targeted NFL, Cited CTE in Suicide Note

NYC Gunman Targeted NFL Over Alleged Brain Injury, Mayor Says

The gunman who killed four people and then himself at a Manhattan office building on Monday was targeting NFL offices, NYC Mayor Eric Adams said. The incident has sparked renewed debate about gun control and the long-term health consequences for football players.

Adams, speaking Tuesday, said authorities “have reason to believe that he was focused on the NFL,” which has offices in the building where the shooting occurred. The gunman, identified as Shane Tamura, left a note referencing chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease linked to repeated head trauma, and specifically mentioned a former NFL player. This suggests a potential motive rooted in the ongoing discussion surrounding the health risks associated with professional football.

The Shooting and the Suspect

The shooting took place at 345 Park Avenue, a Midtown Manhattan skyscraper housing offices for the NFL, Blackstone, and other major companies. Tamura, 27, of Las Vegas, reportedly entered the building intending to reach the NFL’s offices but mistakenly accessed a different elevator bank, ultimately carrying out the shooting at Rudin Management on the 33rd floor. He died by suicide at the scene.

According to reports, Tamura played high school football as a running back at Granada Hills Charter High School in Los Angeles. FOX 11 LA detailed his athletic background, adding another layer to the unfolding narrative.

CTE and the Suspect’s Note

A key element of the investigation centers around a note discovered on Tamura, in which he repeatedly apologized and requested his brain be studied for CTE. The New York Times reported the note included the phrase “Study my brain please,” and referenced Terry Long, a former NFL player who was diagnosed with CTE post-mortem and died by suicide in 2005. This connection highlights the suspect’s apparent belief that his mental health issues were a direct result of football-related head trauma.

Adams stated that the city’s medical examiner will determine whether to test Tamura’s brain for CTE, a process that can only be completed after death through examination of brain tissue. The mayor told CNN that this decision rests with the medical examiner’s office.

The Victims

The shooting resulted in the deaths of four individuals. Didarul Islam, a 36-year-old off-duty New York Police Department officer, was among those killed. Adams ordered flags at city buildings to be flown at half-staff in Islam’s honor. Wesley LePatner, a senior executive at Blackstone, and Aland Etienne, a security guard at the building, also perished in the attack. The identity of the fourth victim is being withheld at the family’s request. One NFL employee sustained injuries and remains hospitalized.

Gun Control Debate Re-Ignited

The incident has quickly fueled the ongoing debate surrounding gun control in New York and across the nation. New York Governor Kathy Hochul emphasized the state’s existing strict gun laws but pointed to the ease with which firearms can be obtained in states with less stringent regulations. In a statement, Hochul argued that the AR-15 used in the shooting was brought into New York from a state with weaker gun laws, highlighting the challenges of preventing gun violence across state lines.

What is CTE?

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) is a progressive degenerative brain disease found in people who have had repeated head trauma, including concussions and repeated subconcussive hits. Symptoms can include memory loss, confusion, personality changes, depression, and suicidal thoughts. CTE can only be definitively diagnosed after death through examination of brain tissue. The disease has gained significant attention in recent years, particularly within the context of professional sports, especially football, where players are exposed to frequent head impacts.

Confirmed vs. Unclear

Confirmed:

• Shane Tamura was the shooter.
• Four people, including an NYPD officer, were killed.
• Tamura left a note referencing CTE and a former NFL player.
• Tamura intended to target the NFL offices.
• The shooting occurred at 345 Park Avenue in Manhattan.

Unclear:

• Whether Tamura actually suffered from CTE.
• The full extent of Tamura’s mental health history.
• The specific details of Tamura’s planning and preparation for the shooting.
• Whether the suspect had any prior connection to the victims.

The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are continuing to gather information about Tamura’s background, motives, and the events leading up to the shooting.