New York City, July 29, 2025 — What began as a seemingly ordinary Monday morning in Midtown Manhattan turned into a tragedy that shocked the nation. A 27-year-old man from Las Vegas, armed with an M4-style rifle and fueled by delusions and misplaced rage, opened fire inside a high-rise office building at 345 Park Avenue, killing four people and critically injuring another before turning the weapon on himself.
The gunman, Shane Tamura, had traveled across the country with one objective: to attack the NFL’s headquarters. However, a crucial mistake led him to the wrong floor, sparing his intended targets but claiming the lives of innocent victims.
According to NYPD officials and Mayor Eric Adams, Tamura had specifically targeted the NFL, which occupies space in the building. In a suicide note recovered after the attack, Tamura railed against the league, claiming he suffered from CTE, blaming the NFL for allegedly downplaying the long-term health effects of football-related trauma.
Tamura, however, never played professionally. Authorities confirmed that his football experience ended at the high school level. Experts believe his claims were part of a larger mental health crisis, as he showed signs of delusional thinking, referencing former NFL player Terry Long—a figure long associated with CTE in media narratives.
The plan began to unravel almost immediately. After entering the lobby of the 45-story tower around 8:30 a.m., Tamura bypassed security and accessed the wrong elevator bank. Instead of reaching the NFL’s office, he arrived on the 33rd floor, which houses Rudin Management Company—another major tenant.
It was there that Tamura unleashed a brutal barrage of gunfire. Four people were killed, including:
- Didarul Islam, a 36-year-old off-duty NYPD officer and father of two
- Wesley LePatner, a senior managing director at investment firm Blackstone
- A building security guard
- A fourth victim whose identity has not yet been publicly released
A fifth person—an NFL employee—was critically wounded but survived. Authorities confirmed that this was the only person in the building who appeared to have been specifically targeted, indicating Tamura may have realized his mistake mid-rampage
Following the attack, Tamura died by suicide at the scene. Police found additional weapons in his vehicle, including a revolver, several ammunition magazines, and prescription medications. He held a concealed-carry permit issued in Nevada.
Law enforcement and mental health experts are now working to piece together Tamura’s final days, which included a cross-country road trip in a black BMW. Investigators believe his mental state deteriorated rapidly in the weeks before the attack.
The NFL issued a statement expressing sorrow for the victims and confirmed that staff were working remotely in the days following. Blackstone and KPMG, also headquartered in the tower, temporarily closed their offices. Mayor Adams ordered city flags to be flown at half-mast, and called the attack “a tragedy that could have been even worse.”
