What We Know About the Midtown Gunman and His Victims
A tragic mass shooting at the NFL’s Midtown Manhattan headquarters on Monday, July 28, left four people dead and one seriously injured. Authorities identified the gunman as Shane Tamura, 27, who died by suicide after carrying out the attack with an AR-15-style rifle.
The Gunman: A Troubled Past
Tamura, originally from Las Vegas, once played high school football in California and struggled with mental health in recent years. He was hospitalized twice for psychiatric evaluation and recently worked as a security guard at the Horseshoe Casino in Las Vegas. He missed work the day before the shooting.
A handwritten note found in his wallet blamed the NFL for a possible case of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)—a degenerative brain disease linked to repeated head trauma in contact sports. In the note, Tamura requested his brain be studied post-mortem. Investigators say he may have shot himself in the chest to preserve brain tissue for analysis.
An associate purchased the lower receiver, which was used in assembling the rifle for the shooting. The associate is now cooperating with police. The NFL’s Midtown office remains closed until at least August 8 while the investigation continues.
Who Were the Victims?
Officer Didarul Islam, 36
An off-duty NYPD officer working private security, Islam had served with the department for over three years. He was a father of two, with a third child on the way. Mayor Eric Adams called him a “true blue New Yorker” who died protecting others.
Wesley LePatner, 43
A senior executive at Blackstone, LePatner, got shot in the building’s lobby. She graduated summa cum laude from Yale and served on the board of The Met Museum. She leaves behind a family and will be remembered as a respected and warm leader.
Aland Etienne, 32
Etienne, a security officer employed at 345 Park Avenue since 2019, tried to take cover when someone shot him. His union called him a “New York hero” who risked his life to protect others. His family described him as a light in their lives.
Julie Hyman, 27
NFL Employee (Name withheld)
A fifth person, an NFL employee, sustained serious wounds but expects to recover. The NFL confirmed that it accounted for all other staff.
Looking Ahead
Authorities continue to analyze Tamura’s digital footprint, surveillance footage, and recent behavior. The Medical Examiner’s Office will examine his brain for signs of CTE, although experts caution that most people with CTE do not commit violent acts.
This incident has reignited conversations around mental health, firearm access, and the long-term risks of contact sports. City and state leaders held a vigil in Bryant Park, honoring the victims and calling for community healing.
What actions should we take to prevent tragedies like this—improve mental health support, enforce stricter gun laws, or both?
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