What Happened?
A mass shooting at a prominent skyscraper on Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan on Monday evening claimed the lives of four people and the gunman himself, shocking the heart of New York City. One of the victims was a New York City police officer, adding to the tragedy of the incident.
The Suspect
The shooter has been identified as 27-year-old Shane Tamura, a resident of Las Vegas with a history of mental illness. Authorities said he had driven cross-country to New York shortly before carrying out the attack. Investigators believe he acted alone, and the motive behind the rampage remains unknown.
The Victims
- Among the four people killed was Officer Didarul Islam, 36, a Bangladeshi-American and father of two, with a third child on the way.
- Islam was serving as a security detail through an NYPD program placing officers in commercial buildings.
- The other victims included two men and one woman, whose identities have not yet been released.
- A fifth victim, a man, is critically injured and “fighting for his life” at a nearby hospital, according to Mayor Eric Adams.
Where It Happened
The shooting occurred at 345 Park Avenue, a skyscraper that houses high-profile tenants including the NFL headquarters, Blackstone, and KPMG.
The gunman began his assault in the lobby and then took the elevator to the 33rd floor, where he continued firing before turning the gun on himself.
Response & Investigation
- Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch confirmed Tamura used an assault-style rifle, and that there was no significant criminal history in his background.
- A photo of the suspect carrying the weapon into the building has circulated across the media.
- The FBI’s New York field office is supporting the investigation.
- A massive police presence was seen around the building, and nearby properties were placed under lockdown.
Eyewitness Accounts
Several people near the scene described panic and swift police action:
- “I saw a lot of commotion, cops, and people screaming,” said Russ McGee, a gym-goer near the skyscraper.
- Kyle Marshall, working in a nearby office, said he was locked down until 8 p.m. after his mother alerted him to the incident. “It doesn’t make me feel less safe to be in Manhattan. The police responded quickly,” he told Reuters.
Officials Speak Out
- Mayor Eric Adams called Officer Islam a “true blue hero.”
- Police union leader Patrick Hendry condemned the violence, calling it an act of “pure evil.”
- Commissioner Tisch emphasized the need to understand Tamura’s mental health and background as part of the investigation.