In a tragic turn of events, a gunman opened fire in a New York City skyscraper on Monday evening, killing four people in what has become the deadliest shooting in the city in a quarter-century. The attacker, identified as 27-year-old Shane Tamura from Las Vegas, left a note blaming the National Football League (NFL) for a brain injury he believed he suffered from playing football in his youth. Tamura, who did not play professionally, claimed to have chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a brain disease linked to repeated head trauma.

The Attack and Its Victims

The shooting unfolded at 345 Park Avenue, where the NFL has its headquarters. Tamura, armed with an assault-style rifle, mistakenly went to the wrong office after taking the wrong elevator, according to New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Among the victims were Didarul Islam, a 36-year-old off-duty police officer working as a security guard, and Wesley LePatner, an employee of finance giant Blackstone. Two other male civilians were also killed, and an NFL employee was seriously injured.

The Note and Its Implications

Tamura's note, found on his body, expressed his belief that playing football had given him CTE, a condition that has been linked to violent behavior in some cases. The note reportedly mentioned Terry Long, a former NFL player diagnosed with CTE, and included an apology and a request for his brain to be studied. Mayor Adams confirmed the existence of the note, stating, "He appeared to have blamed the NFL for his injury."

Response and Security Measures

The incident brought parts of Midtown Manhattan to a standstill, with heightened security measures now implemented at the NFL's offices. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell addressed the league's staff, confirming the serious injury of an employee and emphasizing the importance of safety. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump, while visiting Scotland, expressed confidence in U.S. law enforcement to uncover the motives behind the attack.