A gunman who fatally shot four individuals in a New York City office building left behind a note, according to various reports.
On Monday, July 28, an individual entered the premises at 345 Park Ave in New York City, opening fire and resulting in the deaths of four people, including an NYPD officer, while leaving another person critically injured.
The shooter has been identified by police as Shane Devon Tamura, a 27-year-old from Las Vegas. The building’s security footage captured the tragic sequence of events, including the moment Tamura ended his own life.
New York City Police Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch confirmed that the security footage revealed the attacker arriving in a double-parked black BMW on Park Avenue, armed with an M4 rifle.
The attack took place in a building that houses major companies like Blackstone Inc., the NFL’s headquarters, KPMG, Rudin Management, and several prominent law firms. Tamura took the elevator to a floor, where he killed another individual before taking his own life.
Officials informed NBC News that a motive has not yet been determined, but they are examining a note left by the suspect. They emphasized that the investigation is still in progress.
A source familiar with the investigation revealed to CNN that the note was a ‘suicide note’ spanning three pages. It reportedly detailed his apparent struggle with Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), a brain disease associated with repeated concussions or head trauma.
Tamura allegedly requested that his brain be studied, according to the note. The NYPD mentioned that Tamura had a ‘documented mental history,’ and two law enforcement sources told NBC News that he had speculated whether CTE was the root of his mental health issues.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams identified the off-duty police officer killed as Didarul Islam, who was a father of two with a third child on the way. He released a statement regarding the tragic event.
“Our hearts are heavy. Five innocent people were shot tonight,” Adam stated.
“We lost four souls to another senseless act of gun violence, including a member of the New York City Police Department, Officer Islam.”
Discussing Islam, he continued: “He protected New Yorkers. He’s an immigrant from Bangladesh. And he loved this city. And everyone we spoke with stated, he was in person of faith, and a person that believed in God and believed and living out the life of a godly person.
“He embodies what this city is all about. He’s a true-blue New Yorker.”
UNILAD has reached out to the NYPD for comments.