The shocking Midtown Manhattan shooting that claimed four lives and injured another has reignited the national debate on assault weapons in the United States. The gunman, Shane Devon Tamura, a 27-year-old former football player from Las Vegas, carried out the deadliest gun attack in New York City in over two decades.
Who Was Shane Tamura?
Shane Tamura, a Las Vegas resident with a background in competitive football, reportedly suffered from mental health issues and claimed to have CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy)—a brain disease linked to repeated head trauma often seen in football players.
Tamura worked in the surveillance department of the Horseshoe Las Vegas hotel and had no recent criminal record, but a suicide note found on him painted a disturbing picture. In the note, he wrote about his struggles with brain trauma and resentment toward the NFL, saying, “You can’t go against the NFL, they’ll squash you.” He requested that his brain be examined post-mortem.
How the Manhattan Mass Shooting Unfolded
On the evening of July 28, 2025, Tamura drove from Nevada to New York City, parking near 345 Park Avenue, home to the NFL’s headquarters and other major offices such as Blackstone and Rudin Management.
Timeline of the Shooting:
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6:30 PM: Tamura entered the lobby of the building with an M4-style assault rifle and opened fire.
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A security guard, an off-duty NYPD officer, and two building employees were among those shot.
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Tamura spared one woman in the elevator before heading to the 33rd floor, mistakenly arriving at Rudin Management instead of the NFL office on the 5th floor.
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There, he shot another victim before turning the gun on himself.
The Victims: Lives Lost in the Tragedy
1. Didarul Islam – NYPD Officer
A 36-year-old Bangladeshi-American, father of two with a third child on the way, Islam was off duty and working security when he was fatally shot.
2. Aland Etienne – Security Guard
Described as a dedicated protector, Etienne died on duty protecting the building’s occupants.
3. Wesley LePatner – Blackstone Executive
A respected leader, wife, and mother, LePatner was among those killed in the lobby. Blackstone described her as “brilliant, passionate, and generous.”
4. Rudin Management Employee
The fourth victim, an employee at the building’s management company, has not been publicly named at the family’s request.
A fifth victim, an NFL employee, remains in serious but stable condition in the hospital.
Gov. Kathy Hochul Renews Call for National Assault Weapons Ban
In the aftermath, New York Governor Kathy Hochul demanded urgent national action.
“We need a national awakening… I want to protect New Yorkers, but I can’t do that when someone gets a concealed carry permit in Nevada and brings an assault weapon here,” Hochul said in a CNN interview.
She pointed to the lax gun laws in Nevada that allowed Tamura to legally obtain a concealed carry permit and criticized Congress for inaction.
“Congress has let us down,” Hochul added, stating that uniform gun laws across states would prevent tragedies like this.
Security Failures & Mental Health Concerns
Despite New York’s ban on assault weapons, Tamura legally brought the gun from Nevada. He also had a known history of mental health issues, yet managed to cross multiple states undetected.
The NYPD has sent investigators to Las Vegas to probe Tamura’s background. Authorities found extra ammunition in his car, but no clear signs of plans for additional attacks.
Public and Political Reaction
New York City Mayor Eric Adams confirmed Tamura appeared to target the NFL. He mistakenly took the wrong elevator and ended up at Rudin Management. Tamura’s note and the bullet holes left in the NFL logo have raised alarms about targeted violence and gaps in interstate gun law enforcement.
With over 254 mass shootings in the U.S. in 2025 already, this tragedy marks a turning point in public calls for stricter national legislation.
Key Takeaways
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Shane Tamura legally carried an M4 assault-style rifle across state lines.
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The attack claimed four lives, including a police officer and a mother of two.
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Tamura had a documented mental health history and believed he had CTE.
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New York Gov. Hochul renewed calls for a nationwide assault weapons ban.
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The shooting is now the deadliest in NYC since 2000.
Why This Story Matters
This tragic shooting has put a spotlight on gun control, mental health, and the loopholes in cross-state firearm laws. As the name Shane Tamura trends across Google and social media, many are demanding change to prevent future tragedies.