Shane Tamura, a 27-year-old from Las Vegas, was identified by New York authorities as the perpetrator of the shooting that left four dead and one seriously injured in a high-profile office building in Manhattan. The attacker, who had recently worked as a security guard at a casino, entered armed with an assault rifle at 345 Park Avenue shortly before 6:30 p.m. on Monday and opened fire on several people before taking his own life on the building’s 33rd floor.
The weapon used was a .223-caliber AR-15, manufactured by Palmetto State Armory, equipped with a telescopic sight, black handguard, and shoulder strap. Photos of the weapon showed bloodstains on its surface. The vehicle found nearby, a car with Nevada license plates registered to Tamura, contained a valid concealed carry permit issued in Las Vegas, set to expire in 2027.
Tamura was described by police sources as a lone attacker. “We believe he acted alone,” stated New York Police Department Commissioner Jessica Tisch during a press conference.
The shooting resulted in the death of an off-duty officer, Didarul Islam, and three civilians. One additional person was seriously injured and remains hospitalized.
The attack occurred in a heavily trafficked area of Midtown, in a 44-story building housing offices of the National Football League (NFL), the financial firm Blackstone, and other high-profile companies. Authorities are still investigating whether Tamura had any connection to the victims or the businesses in the building.
Tamura’s background includes a stint as a standout football player at Granada Hills Charter High School in California.
In recent years, Tamura had worked as a security guard at a Las Vegas casino, according to police sources. No details about his medical history have been released, but New York authorities indicated he had a documented mental health history.
The shooting triggered scenes of panic inside and outside the building. Jessica Chen, who was attending a presentation on the second floor with about 150 people,
“We heard multiple gunshots in rapid succession from the ground floor, and many of us ran to a room to take shelter,” she said.
Another witness in the lobby at the time of the attack stated: “This guy walked in with an assault rifle and started shooting.”
Oleksandr Stupak, 30, said he was a block away when the shooting began. “I heard the shots, and then a lot of police arrived to neutralize the situation,” he told The New York Post.
Police recovered Tamura’s body on the 33rd floor, where he is believed to have died by suicide after killing one person in an office. Authorities continue to review security footage, call records, and the attacker’s background to determine the motive behind the attack.
The city’s emergency system issued alerts for street closures, public transit delays, and pedestrian access restrictions around the building.
While the city has seen a significant decrease in gun violence this year, this incident underscores the persistent threat posed by isolated shootings and the proliferation of firearms in public spaces.
Image: Infobae
