Manhattan Shooting Suspect’s Note Cites CTE, Targets NFL in Tragic Attack
New York, NY – July 29, 2025 – A 27-year-old gunman, identified as Shane Devon Tamura, opened fire in a Midtown Manhattan office building at 345 Park Avenue, home to the NFL headquarters, killing four people, including an off-duty NYPD officer, and wounding a fifth before dying by suicide. Police sources revealed that Tamura left a three-page note claiming he suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease linked to repeated head trauma, and accusing the NFL of concealing its dangers for profit. The note, described as rambling, included a plea to “study my brain please” and expressed regret, ending with “I’m sorry.”
Tamura, a former high school football player from Los Angeles, had no known professional connection to the NFL and no confirmed history of traumatic brain injury or CTE, which can only be diagnosed post-mortem through brain autopsy. His note referenced former NFL player Terry Long, who died by suicide in 2005 after drinking antifreeze and was later found to have CTE, with Tamura claiming football gave him the disease and drove him to similar despair. Authorities noted Tamura’s documented mental health history, including two Mental Health Crisis Holds in Nevada in 2022 and 2024, suggesting underlying issues may have contributed to his actions.
The shooting, which occurred Monday, July 28, 2025, targeted the NFL offices but ended on the 33rd floor at Rudin Management’s offices, as Tamura reportedly took the wrong elevator. He used an M4-style semiautomatic rifle, legally purchased with a concealed carry permit issued in Las Vegas in 2022, and carried additional weapons and ammunition. One NFL employee was seriously injured, prompting Commissioner Roger Goodell to increase security and instruct New York staff to work remotely.
The incident has reignited debates about CTE, mental health, and gun violence. New York Governor Kathy Hochul called for an assault weapons ban, while President Donald Trump expressed condolences on social media, describing the shooter as a “crazed lunatic” and praising the NYPD. Posts on X reflected public shock, with users highlighting the note’s CTE claims and questioning Tamura’s motives, though no definitive evidence links his actions directly to the disease.
As investigations continue, the tragedy underscores the complex intersection of mental health, perceived grievances, and the long-term effects of head trauma in sports. Authorities have yet to confirm a precise motive, and Tamura’s brain may be studied to verify his CTE claims, potentially shedding light on his state of mind.
This article is based on reports from ABC News, NBC New York, and posts on X, and remains a developing story. Readers are encouraged to follow updates from reliable sources.