Tragedy in Manhattan: The Shane Tamura Shooting at 345 Park Avenue

On the evening of July 28, 2025, a devastating mass shooting unfolded at 345 Park Avenue, a prominent office skyscraper in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. The gunman, identified as 27-year-old Shane Devon Tamura, a Las Vegas resident, killed four people, including an NYPD officer, before taking his own life on the 33rd floor of the building. This tragic event has left the city reeling, prompting widespread speculation about the motive behind the attack and renewed discussions about gun violence and mental health. Here is a comprehensive overview of the incident, Tamura’s background, and the latest updates based on available information.

The Incident: A Deadly Rampage

The shooting began shortly before 6:30 p.m. EDT when Tamura, armed with an AR-15-style rifle and wearing body armor, entered the lobby of 345 Park Avenue, a 44-story building that houses major corporate tenants, including the National Football League (NFL) headquarters, Blackstone, and KPMG.

According to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, Tamura immediately opened fire upon entering, targeting NYPD Officer Didarul Islam, a 36-year-old off-duty officer working as a security guard. Officer Islam, who was shot in the back, succumbed to his injuries during surgery. Tamura then shot a woman hiding behind a pillar, a security guard behind a desk, and another man in the lobby before taking an elevator to the 33rd floor, where he fatally shot another person. He was later found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in the offices of Rudin Management.

The attack claimed five lives in total, including Tamura’s, with four civilians and Officer Islam among the deceased. At least one other person was reported in critical but stable condition, with authorities noting that the number of victims could rise as investigations continue. The NYPD confirmed that Tamura acted alone, and the scene was contained shortly after the incident, with no ongoing threat to the public.

Surveillance footage captured Tamura calmly walking into the building with an M4 rifle in hand, dressed in dark clothing, sunglasses, and a sport coat. His vehicle, a black BMW with Nevada plates, was found double-parked near the scene, containing a rifle case, a loaded revolver, ammunition, magazines, a backpack, and medication prescribed to Tamura. The NYPD bomb squad cleared the vehicle of explosives.

Who Was Shane Tamura?

Shane Devon Tamura, originally from Hawaii and later a resident of Las Vegas, was a 27-year-old former high school football player with a documented history of mental health issues. Public records indicate he previously lived in Henderson, Nevada, and Canyon Country, California.

Tamura held a concealed firearms permit issued by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department on June 14, 2022, valid for five years, and an expired private investigator’s license from the Nevada Private Investigators Licensing Board. He reportedly worked as a security guard at a Las Vegas casino in recent years.

Tamura’s early life included a promising football career. He played as a running back and defensive back at Golden Valley High School in Santa Clarita, California, and later at Granada Hills Charter High School, graduating in 2016. During the 2015 season at Granada Hills, he wore jersey #2, rushed for 616 yards on 126 carries (averaging 4.9 yards per carry), scored five rushing touchdowns, and earned six Player of the Game awards.

A 2015 video resurfaced online, showing Tamura discussing a 35-31 victory, emphasizing teamwork and discipline. Former teammate Caleb Clarke described him as a “goofball” and “class clown” with a lot of energy, while neighbor Debi Hatfield recalled him as a typical kid in Santa Clarita. However, there were no indications from these accounts of violent tendencies during his high school years.

Tamura’s life after high school is less clear. He relocated to Las Vegas, where he obtained his firearms permit and private investigator credentials. Authorities noted a “documented mental health history,” though specific details were not disclosed. His cross-country journey from Nevada to New York, passing through Colorado on July 26, Nebraska and Iowa on July 27, and Columbia, New Jersey, on July 28, suggests premeditation, though the motive remains under investigation.

Speculation on Motive: The NFL Connection?

While the NYPD has not confirmed a motive, online speculation has centered on Tamura’s football background and the presence of the NFL headquarters at 345 Park Avenue. Some social media users have suggested that Tamura, who may have aspired to a professional football career, targeted the building due to unfulfilled NFL dreams. A post on X claimed, “NFL headquarters were located at that building and could be a possible motive. Tamura was a standout RB that graduated in 2016.” However, these claims remain unverified, and authorities have confirmed that Tamura did not enter the NFL’s offices during the attack. The shooting occurred primarily in the lobby and on the 33rd floor, where Rudin Management’s offices are located.

Other reports indicate that Tamura’s mental health struggles may have played a significant role. NYPD Commissioner Tisch noted that Las Vegas law enforcement informed them of Tamura’s mental health history two weeks prior to the incident. Medications found in his vehicle further support this, though no specific diagnoses or triggers have been publicly disclosed.

Response and Aftermath

The shooting prompted a massive emergency response, with NYPD, FDNY, and FBI personnel swarming the area. The NYPD issued an advisory urging people to avoid East 52nd Street between Park and Lexington Avenues due to police activity and emergency vehicles. New York Mayor Eric Adams described the attack as a “senseless act of violence,” expressing grief for the victims, including Officer Islam, who left behind a pregnant wife and two children. New York Governor Kathy Hochul and mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani also expressed condolences and gratitude for first responders.

The incident caused widespread panic, with employees on the 32nd floor, including Blackstone staff, barricading doors with furniture to protect themselves. Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with one comparing it to a “war zone” and another recalling the sounds of an automatic weapon. The attack, occurring in a busy tourist district near Rockefeller Center and St. Patrick’s Cathedral, was particularly shocking given the rarity of such events in central Manhattan.

Ongoing Investigations

Federal and state authorities are combing through Tamura’s digital footprint, car, and phone to uncover any planning or ideological motives. The NYPD and FBI are working to determine whether Tamura had prior ties to New York or specific grievances against the building’s tenants. While the NFL headquarters theory persists online, no evidence has confirmed this as the motive. The investigation is also exploring Tamura’s mental health history and any stressors that may have contributed to the attack.

A City in Mourning

The shooting at 345 Park Avenue has left New York City grappling with grief and questions about public safety. Officer Didarul Islam’s death, in particular, has struck a chord, with tributes highlighting his dedication as a father and public servant. As investigations continue, the focus remains on understanding what drove Shane Tamura to commit this horrific act and how such tragedies can be prevented in the future.