NEW YORK – A gunman who killed four people in a New York skyscraper on Monday evening left a note appearing to blame the National Football League (NFL) for a brain injury, according to city Mayor Eric Adams. The attacker, identified as 27-year-old Shane Tamura from Las Vegas, died by suicide after opening fire in a building that houses the NFL headquarters.
Authorities stated that Tamura entered the building and, after taking a wrong lift, began shooting in a different section of the complex. Mayor Adams told CBS that the note found on the gunman “alluded to that he felt he had CTE, a known brain injury for those who participate in contact sports.” He added, “He appeared to have blamed the NFL for his injury.”
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) is a degenerative brain disease associated with repeated head trauma, often seen in athletes involved in contact sports. According to a senior official speaking to ABC News, Tamura’s alleged note reportedly read: “study my brain please,” followed by “I’m sorry.”
Among those killed were 36-year-old New York City police officer Didarul Islam, who was working as a security guard, and Wesley LePatner, an employee of finance giant Blackstone. Two other male civilians also died in the attack. An NFL employee sustained serious injuries, as confirmed by the league’s commissioner, Roger Goodell, in a message to staff.
US President Donald Trump, who is currently visiting Scotland, issued a statement confirming he had been briefed on the “tragic shooting,” expressing trust in law enforcement to “get to the bottom of why this crazed lunatic committed such a senseless act of violence.”
Former teammates of Tamura told US media that he played American football during high school in California, though he never played in the NFL. One classmate recalled him as having a “jokey personality,” while a former coach described him as a “talented and hard-working running back.”
Add Comment