Shane Devon Tamura, the man identified as the gunman who killed four people in a deadly shooting at a midtown Manhattan office building that houses the NFL‘s headquarters, was once a standout high school football player.
The Context
Tamura, 27, entered 345 Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan shortly after the close of business on Monday, armed with an M4 rifle, and opened fire in the lobby and again on the 33rd floor before taking his own life, according to New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch. Among the four people killed was Officer Didarul Islam, 36, who had been working a security job at the building. The other victims have not yet been identified.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said one of the organization’s employees was “seriously injured” in the attack but is stable.
What To Know
Tamura attended high school in Southern California, where he played on the football team and was remembered by former teammates as a dedicated athlete, though they noted he didn’t appear to have ambitions to play at the collegiate or professional level, according to NBC News. His former coach and classmates expressed shock at his involvement in the shooting.
“I’m just blown away right now,” said former coach Walter Roby, who described Tamura as a skilled running back and “a great player” who was “real elusive, real agile.” Roby added, “He came in, worked hard, kept his nose down. He was a quiet kid, well-mannered, very coachable. Whatever needed to be done, he would do.”
Tamura reportedly earned all-conference honors, a recognition given to athletes judged among the top performers in their sport within their conference for that season, according to NBC. He was enrolled in his school’s virtual program, meaning he took classes online and only attended in person a few times a week outside of the football season.
“He never came off violent,” said former classmate Caleb Clarke. “You never would have thought violence was something you’d associate with him. Everything he said was a joke.”
Clarke said Tamura transferred to Granada Hills Charter School in Los Angeles from a school in Santa Clarita in 2015, during his senior year.
Another former friend, who was not named, told CNN affiliate KABC Tamura had never been “problematic” as a student.
“When I knew him, he was a great teammate. He was a great guy in general. He didn’t cause any problems, actually at all, in the locker room or on the field. He was just a guy that really enjoyed the sport, not problematic at all,”
Meanwhile, a law enforcement official briefed on the investigation told CNN that a suicide note found on Tamura’s body indicated he had grievances with the NFL and its handling of CTE, a brain disease linked to head trauma. Evidence of CTE has been found in a number of deceased NFL players’ brains donated for study.
“Terry Long football gave me CTE and it caused me to drink a gallon of antifreeze,” the shooter wrote, according to CNN. “You can’t go against the NFL, they’ll squash you.”
Terry Long, a former football player for the Pittsburgh Steelers, was diagnosed with CTE. He died by suicide in 2005.
“Study my brain please I’m sorry Tell Rick I’m sorry for everything,” the note added.
Police have not yet released a motive but said that he had “a documented mental health history.”
CNN reported that Tamura had no significant criminal background and had a concealed-carry license for a handgun, as well as an expired private investigator license in Nevada.
What People Are Saying
Hakeem Jeffries, House minority leader, issued a statement calling for stricter gun laws: “Mass shootings are a plague. The gun violence epidemic continues to afflict our country and now has shattered lives in our great City. The time has come for decisive action.”
Speaking about Officer Islam, New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said: “He was doing the job that we asked him to do. He put himself in harm’s way, he made the ultimate sacrifice — shot in cold blood, wearing a uniform that stood for the promise that he made to this city. He died as he lived, a hero.”
New York Mayor Eric Adams said during a press conference: “Five innocent people shot tonight, we lost four souls to another senseless act of gun violence.”
What Happens Next
Police are still investigating the incident. “His motives are still under investigation and we are working to understand why he targeted this particular location,” Tisch said.