NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell informed league employees that one of their colleagues was seriously injured in a shooting that took place Monday evening at an office tower in Midtown Manhattan. The shooting occurred at 345 Park Avenue, a building that houses several major firms, including the NFL, Blackstone, and KPMG. Goodell assured staff that the injured employee is now in stable condition and that NFL personnel are providing support to the employee’s family at the hospital.
The incident unfolded around 6:30 p.m. when 27-year-old Shane Devon Tamura, who had traveled from Las Vegas, opened fire inside the building. Four people were killed, including New York police officer Didarul Islam. Tamura, who also died, was employed in the surveillance department at Horseshoe Las Vegas, part of the Caesars Entertainment group.
Blackstone confirmed that one of its employees, Wesley LePatner, was among those killed in the attack. New York City Mayor Eric Adams said that a preliminary investigation revealed Tamura may have intended to reach the NFL offices but mistakenly took the wrong elevator bank, leading to the shooting occurring elsewhere in the building.
Authorities discovered a note left by the suspect that suggested he harbored a grievance against the NFL over a claim related to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). CTE is a degenerative brain condition believed to be caused by repeated head trauma, often associated with football players. Although Tamura played high school football in California, he never participated in the NFL.
In response to the tragedy, Goodell told NFL employees based in New York to work remotely on Tuesday and announced plans to increase security measures at the building in the coming days and weeks. He also urged employees to make use of grief counselors and other available support services.
“Every one of you is a valued member of the NFL family. We will get through this together,” Goodell said in his message, underscoring the league’s commitment to support its staff during this difficult time. The shooting has left the NFL community shaken while raising renewed attention to issues surrounding mental health and trauma linked to football.
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