New Information Emerges About Suspect in Fatal NYC Mass Shooting, Shane Tamura

New details are emerging about the suspected gunman in the mass shooting in Midtown, as police work to piece together his movements and state of mind.

A former classmate of Shane Tamura, the alleged killer in Monday's deadly mass shooting in Midtown Manhattan, says he once showed promise as a star athlete before fading from the spotlight.

Caleb Clarke, who played high school football alongside Tamura, recalled a high-energy teenager with big potential. Tamura transferred to Granada Hills Charter School in Los Angeles during their senior year in 2015, joining Clarke's team after moving from Santa Clarita.

"He was the biggest goofball in the world, just a ton of energy, class clown," Clarke said. "Just one of those guys, he's got so much going for him." Clarke described Tamura as fast, confident, and widely praised during their playing days.

Back then, some believed Tamura had a real shot at making it to the NFL — not necessarily because he aimed for it, but because of how much others believed in his potential. "It was more of everybody else telling him how great he was," Clarke recalled.

Clarke also said Tamura had a lot going for him at the time, noting that his speed on the football field stood out. "He was the fastest kid I'd ever met, full hands-down," he noted.

But that path never materialized. After high school, Tamura seemed to drift. Clarke said they lost touch but reconnected years later through social media. At that point, Tamura was working at a casino in Las Vegas.

When news broke naming Tamura as the suspect, Clarke said it was difficult to process. He remembered a lighthearted friend who never seemed violent, and turned everything into a joke.

Clarke noted that Tamura's life seemed to change after high school, with the bright future many once saw gradually fading.

According to authorities, Tamura drove thousands of miles before carrying out the deadly shooting in Midtown Manhattan. At a news conference, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said Tamura's movements were tracked across several states over the past few days.

His BMW was seen passing through Nebraska, Iowa, and New Jersey before arriving in New York City on Monday. Upon reaching Manhattan, Tamura reportedly double-parked near a high-rise building and walked inside. That building later became the scene of the fatal shooting.

Inside the vehicle, investigators recovered prescription medication, a rifle case, several ammunition magazines, and a loaded revolver. Tisch confirmed that Tamura has a documented history of mental health concerns, with information provided by law enforcement partners in Las Vegas.

New findings in the mass shooting suggest the suspect may have been driven by long-standing frustrations tied to his past as a football player.

A handwritten suicide note was discovered in Tamura's back pocket, according to a source familiar with the investigation. In it, the 27-year-old claimed he suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE — a brain condition associated with repeated head injuries.

The note spanned three pages and included references to former NFL player Terry Long, who was diagnosed with CTE and died by suicide in 2005. Tamura allegedly wrote that "football gave me CTE" and blamed the condition for his deteriorating mental health.

He also wrote, "You can't go against the NFL, they'll squash you." Tamura requested that his brain be studied after his death and offered apologies to someone named Rick.

His connection to the sport, and the NFL specifically, is now under closer examination. The note adds a new layer to an ongoing investigation into Tamura's motives. Law enforcement sources say papers found on his body suggest anger toward the NFL and its handling of brain injuries among former athletes.

While the NFL has not been publicly linked to the victims, the league has offices on the fifth floor of the same building where the shooting occurred. Investigators have not said whether those offices were a specific target.

We previously reported that four people, including a New York Police Department officer, were killed during the mass shooting on Monday evening, July 28, 2025, in Midtown Manhattan.

The shooter, Tamura, was a 27-year-old man from Las Vegas, Nevada. He was born in Hawaii and later moved to Las Vegas. Tamura held a concealed carry permit for a handgun and had an expired private investigator license in Nevada.

"We are working to understand why he targeted this particular location," said New York Police Department Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch.

Tamura was found dead inside the building from what police believe was a self-inflicted injury. Authorities have confirmed he acted alone. Surveillance footage shows him exiting a vehicle by himself before entering the building.

The victims included an off-duty NYPD officer who was working as a security guard in the building. He was shot in the back and killed.

The officer was later identified as Didarul Islam of the 47th Precinct of the New York Police Department. Islam, who immigrated from Bangladesh, was married with two young children. His wife is also pregnant with their third child.

Aside from the officer, two men and a woman were also killed, while another man remains in critical condition. There is not much information revealed to the public about the civilian victims.

However, according to sources, one of the victims may have worked in the accounting department for one of the companies in the building. The building houses corporate offices for the accounting firm KPMG, the National Football League, and Blackstone.

While Tamura attacked several people, he made an exception for one woman. After he reportedly called for an elevator, a woman turned out to be inside. Ultimately, he allowed her to exit and walk past him unharmed.

Hundreds of law enforcement officers responded to the scene within minutes. The FBI also arrived to assist, according to Deputy Director Dan Bongino. Workers were asked to evacuate the building swiftly until officers cleared the threat.

The NYPD Special Operations Division later conducted a secondary sweep of the building. Authorities have since confirmed there is no ongoing threat to the public and that the gunman acted alone.

The shooting occurred at 345 Park Avenue, a skyscraper in a busy section of Midtown Manhattan, just blocks from Grand Central Terminal and the Museum of Modern Art.

The incident has prompted reactions from several New York officials. Mayor Eric Adams has been on top of the situation, speaking about the slain NYPD officer and his noble work for the city.

"The officer was a three-and-a-half year veteran of the department," he said. "He loved this city and everyone we spoke with stated he was a person of faith and a person that believed in God and believed in living out the life of a godly person."

Representative Nicole Malliotakis stated, "we are heartbroken to learn that five individuals including an NYPD officer were mordered tonight by a madman in Manhattan. As we wait to learn more information about this horrific attack, we join our fellow New Yorkers in praying for a speedy recovery for those critically injured."

Congressman Nick LaLota took to X and posted, "God Bless the NYPD." Representative Claudia Tenney also released a statement that read:

"My team is actively monitoring the tragic shooting that occurred this evening in Midtown Manhattan. I'm incredibly grateful for the NYPD's swift response and the bravery of all law enforcement officers who put themselves in harm's way to protect others. My prayers are with the officer and civilians impacted in this horrific attack."

KPMG also released a statement on what transpired in their office building. "Our hearts go out to the victims of this horrific act and their families. We are incredibly grateful for the bravery of building security and law enforcement," the statement said.