Chaos broke out during Monday evening rush hour in the heart of New York City after a gunman, identified as 27-year-old Shane Tamura, opened fire inside a 44-story building in Midtown Manhattan, killing five people—including an NYPD officer—before turning the gun on himself.
According to the New York Post, Tamura stormed into the skyscraper, which houses the NFL headquarters and Blackstone, carrying an assault rifle around 6:30 p.m.. Surveillance footage captured him walking into the building armed. By the time it was over, six more people were injured, terrified employees had barricaded themselves behind office furniture, and the shooter was found dead on the 33rd floor from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Authorities say Tamura acted alone, and while they have not disclosed a motive, they confirmed the shooter had a Nevada license plate on a nearby vehicle and held a valid Las Vegas concealed carry permit set to expire in 2027.
Victims Include NYPD Officer, Business Professionals
Among the five lives lost was a New York City police officer who was reportedly off-duty and inside the building during the attack. The identities of the other victims have not yet been released but include employees working in various offices, some affiliated with major corporations housed in the tower.
Six additional people were rushed to nearby hospitals, with at least two said to be in critical condition. Emergency services responded within minutes, swarming the block as stunned commuters looked on.
So far, the investigation is ongoing as more details emerge.