New York Skyscraper Shooting Reveals NFL Connection in Gunman's Note

A gunman who killed four people during a rampage in a New York skyscraper left behind a note that appeared to link his actions to the National Football League (NFL), citing a brain injury, New York City Mayor Eric Adams revealed.

The attacker, 27-year-old Shane Tamura of Las Vegas, fatally shot himself after opening fire in a building housing the NFL's headquarters. However, he mistakenly targeted the wrong part of the building by taking the wrong elevator.

Tamura was carrying a note in which he blamed chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease often linked to repeated head trauma, for his mental health struggles, Mayor Adams confirmed. Although Tamura played football as a teenager in California, he never played professionally in the NFL, according to former teammates.

The attack occurred on Monday evening, sending shockwaves through Midtown Manhattan. Tamura entered the skyscraper, where the NFL has its offices, and opened fire in the lobby before taking a wrong elevator to the 33rd floor, where he continued his rampage.

Among the victims was New York City police officer Didarul Islam, 36, who was working as a security guard at the building. Another victim was Wesley LePatner, an employee of finance giant Blackstone. Two male civilians and an NFL employee were also seriously injured in the incident.

In a statement to CBS, Mayor Adams said, "He did have a note on him. The note alluded to that he felt he had CTE, a known brain injury for those who participate in contact sports. He appeared to have blamed the NFL for his injury."

Tamura, who reportedly drove across the country from Las Vegas, used an assault-style rifle during the attack. After mistakenly entering the office of Rudin Management, which owns the building, he eventually turned the gun on himself.

The incident caused widespread panic, halting parts of Midtown Manhattan and public transportation. Eyewitnesses described hearing gunshots and seeing scores of police vehicles responding to the scene. One bystander, Nekeisha Lewis, recounted the terrifying experience, saying, "It felt like you were in a warzone almost."

Police worked methodically to clear the building floor by floor, taking hours to ensure the area was safe. The attack has left the city in shock, with many reflecting on the ongoing issues of gun violence and the impact of sports-related brain injuries.

This incident has sparked conversations about the long-term effects of CTE and the role of organizations like the NFL in addressing such concerns. Authorities are continuing their investigation to uncover the full motive behind the attack.