On a seemingly ordinary Monday evening, July 29, 2025, the iconic 44-story skyscraper at 345 Park Avenue, located in the bustling heart of Midtown Manhattan, became the epicenter of chaos and terror. As the sun began to set, employees were winding down their workday, ready to embark on their journeys home. However, what erupted in the normally vibrant metropolis was anything but typical, as the evening turned into a nightmare for hundreds inside the building.
As commuters ambled out of their offices, the unsettling sound of gunfire erupted from the lobby of the skyscraper, sending shockwaves through the building and the surrounding streets. Employees such as Jessica Chen, who worked on the second floor, described the horror, noting that within moments they were barricading rooms with furniture in a desperate attempt to protect themselves. Chen recalled the gut-wrenching moment when she texted her parents to express her love, acutely aware of the stark reality that she might not return home as the gunfire echoed ominously.
The man behind this horrific act was identified as Shane Tamura, a 27-year-old from Las Vegas. Just moments prior to the madness, he had driven across several states, arriving in Manhattan, where he parked his black BMW close to landmark sites like Rockefeller Center and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Dressed in a jacket and sunglasses, Tamura possessed an assault-style rifle and was determined to reach the NFL headquarters nestled within the expansive skyscraper. However, upon reaching the entrance, he commenced a tragic spree of violence without hesitation, understanding the consequences of his actions.
The cascading gunfire resulted in the tragic deaths of four individuals, including Officer Didarul Islam, a valiant member of the New York Police Department who had two children and a pregnant wife. Mayor Eric Adams mourned Islam’s untimely death as he was senselessly shot standing guard at the lobby’s entrance. In the ensuing chaos, another victim, Wesley LePatner, was struck down as he attempted to assist others during the attack. The NFL community was also affected, with an employee shot and hospitalized but surviving the incident.
Amid the heinous acts, terror raged throughout the building. As officers and security guards attempted to respond, one guard named Aland Etienne was also killed, showcasing the destructive toll the event took on human life. Tamura, after running out of targets in the lobby, misstepped into an elevator and inadvertently changed his trajectory toward the 33rd floor, unwittingly stepping into the offices of Rudin Management instead of the NFL headquarters.
As the shooting spree echoed, frantic emails and messages spread through the building like wildfire. Employees communicated the severity of the situation via platforms like Microsoft Teams, urging their colleagues to seek safety. Photos circulated online revealing panic-stricken staff barricading doorways with office furniture, reflecting the sheer terror unfolding within.
Outside, law enforcement quickly mobilized in response to the grave situation. Eyewitness accounts detail horrified bystanders watching people flee the building, hands raised in a signal for help. Amid the mayhem, individuals like Nekeisha Lewis described seeing the gunman and how chaotic the scene had become when employees began emerging in distress.
Eventually, the horror culminated in Tamura’s violent end as he took his own life after the attacks, leaving behind a rambling note expressing his grievances and mental struggles. Authorities revealed that he had suffered from CTE, a brain disease associated with head trauma, leading to speculation that he had blamed the NFL for his suffering. The chilling message, “Study my brain, please,” poignantly underscored the tragedy of the event, as it raised questions about mental health and accountability in professional sports.
The harrowing events of that evening serve as a stark reminder of the randomness of violence that could erupt in any place, particularly amidst the complex tapestry of urban life in New York City. The losses brought forth a wave of condolences and inquiries about safety as communities grappled with the impact of gun violence and its aftermath.
