Manhattan : Shane Tamura, the gunman identified as being responsible for the violent shooting in Manhattan on Monday evening, reportedly blamed the NFL for a degenerative brain disease he was suffering from. New York City Mayor Eric Adams told media that investigations suggest that he could have been targeting the NFL headquarters housed in the building.

Hailing from Las Vegas, Tamura mistakenly targeted a commercial skyscraper housing both the NFL headquarters and Blackstone, one of the world’s largest investment firms. Surveillance footage captured Tamura exiting a double-parked BMW with an M4 rifle, heading toward the building located at 345 Park Avenue.

History of mental health issues

Tamura’s actions appear to have been driven by a personal grievance with the NFL. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch revealed that Tamura had a documented mental health history, and investigators are considering this as a key factor in the incident.

According to Mayor Adams, the gunman had intended to target the NFL’s offices but had accidentally taken the wrong elevator. Instead of reaching the desired floor, Tamura ended up on the 33rd floor, where he opened fire at a real estate management company, fatally shooting one person before turning the gun on himself.

A note found on Tamura’s body referenced Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease linked to repeated head trauma, commonly seen in contact sports such as football. The note also claimed Tamura suffered from CTE and wanted his brain studied after death, implying his frustration with the NFL’s treatment of the condition. This has led investigators to probe whether the shooting was a response to a perceived lack of recognition or action by the NFL concerning CTE.

According to an NDTV report, the suicide note stated that, "Terry Long football gave me CTE, and it caused me to drink a gallon of antifreeze. You can't go against the NFL; they'll squash you. Study my brain, please. I'm sorry. Tell Rick I'm sorry for everything." Terry Long was a footballer who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was diagnosed with CTE and took his own life in 2005 after ingesting antifreeze.

Mayor Erc Adams said that Tamura had never actually played for the top professional league. However, he was reportedly a star player at high-school-level in California.

Timeline of events and the mistaken target

Tamura had travelled across the United States in the days leading up to the attack. He crossed through Colorado on July 26, Nebraska, and Iowa by July 27, before arriving in Columbia, New Jersey, just hours before the shooting. Police discovered a rifle case, a revolver, ammunition, and magazines in his vehicle, but his true intentions remain unclear.

The gunman’s mental health issues appear to have played a role in his confused actions, as he mistakenly targeted the building housing the NFL’s headquarters, when, in reality, his grievance was more personal.

Wider implications and security concerns

The shooting took place in the heart of Manhattan, near famous landmarks like Grand Central Terminal and Rockefeller Center, in a building that also houses offices for major finance companies like KPMG and Rudin, as well as the Irish Consulate General. The attack adds to growing concerns over security in high-profile office buildings, especially in light of the UnitedHealthcare CEO’s shooting last December.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell confirmed that one of their employees was seriously injured in the attack but is now in stable condition. He reassured staff that all other NFL employees were safe.