In a shocking mass shooting that played out in a Manhattan skyscraper, we see the city and sports community in a state of shock as authorities put forth the killer’s motive. The 27-year-old shooter, Shane Tamura, left behind a very disturbing note which he used to blame the National Football League, sparking headlines like Shooter Blames NFL for Brain Injury. This is the biggest case to date which puts to light the connection between sports-related mental health issues and violence. This devastating attack—which saw four innocent lives lost, including a heroic NYPD officer—has brought to the fore very serious discussions of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) and the long-term health effects of contact sports.
Tragic Account of the Manhattan Office Building Attack
At 6:30 PM into the evening rush, security cam caught the tragic moments when Tamura left his double-parked black BMW and went into the building’s plaza with his weapon in hand. Upon entering the lobby he immediately began to shoot, first at NYPD Officer Didarul Islam, a 36-year-old Bangladeshi immigrant that was doing security detail. Officer Islam, a dad of two who was expecting a third child, died a hero trying to protect others.
The shooter went on a killing spree in the lobby which included a woman he shot as she took shelter behind a pillar and also a security guard at his desk. At the 33rd floor, he shot and killed another victim at the Rudin Management office, which is the office of the building’s owner, also before which point he took his own life. The incident played out for about an hour which ended when the police reported the shooter was neutralized.
Among those that perished was Wesley LePatner, a Blackstone employee who was reported by his company to be brilliant, passionate, warm, generous and very much respected. Also, a male person victim is in critical care at a local hospital and is fighting for his life.
Disturbing Suicide Note: Shooter Blames NFL Over Brain Injuries
It was shocking when investigators found a multi-page suicide note in Tamura’s pocket that gave out very disturbing info on his motivation. In this rambling document, the shooter says it was the NFL which gave him his brain injury, which he reported to have, very much as a result of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a degenerative brain disease related to repeated head trauma.
According to the report which Mayor Eric Adams put out, Tamura had what is reported to be CTE, a recognized brain injury in the world of contact sports, and also it is noted that the NFL was made out to be at fault by the author of the note. Also included in the report were charges against the NFL which present that they covered up the brain damage issues to players in order to protect their bottom line. Very tellingly, Tamura asked in his note for his brain to be studied after his death, which is a very personal touch.
The issue of The Shooter Blames NFL for Brain Injury narrative becomes more complex when it comes to Tamura’s football history. Though he played high school football at Granada Hills Charter School in Los Angeles County, which he graduated from in 2016, he did not play college or professional football. Former teammates reported that he was a very dedicated player who “really [was] into the game” and “never was a problem at all.” This gap between his minimal football experience and his reported brain injury questions the validity of his CTE claims.
Law enforcement reports say that police did not find that Tamura had in fact suffered a traumatic brain injury or had CTE. That diagnosis can only be made after death through brain examination, which he did not undergo, thus his report of it is not medical fact. Also, the issue of NFL’s role in brain injury claims brings to light the great public attention and discussion we have seen in regard to sports-caused brain injuries which has been growing in recent years.
Background on Shane Tamura: From the Field to Las Vegas
Shane Devon Tamura, a 27-year-old that resided in Nevada at the time, did a cross country drive from Las Vegas to New York just before the shooting took place. Born in Hawaii, which he eventually left for Las Vegas, Tamura had a concealed carry permit issued in June 2022 and had been a security guard at a Las Vegas casino. Also, he had an expired private investigator license which points to his role in security-related work.
During his time in high school, Tamura went through many changes including leaving Golden Valley High in Santa Clarita for Granada Hills Charter for his senior year in 2015. In 2015 footage, we see a young Tamura celebrating wins and also talking about his dedication to stay disciplined and have a positive attitude. Past coaches reported that he was an outstanding player which was due to his agility and elusiveness as a running back; also noted was his quiet and polite demeanor and that he was always willing to do what had to be done.
It is reported that Tamura’s mental health history was more of a cause for concern. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch confirmed he had a past which included two instances of Mental Health Crisis Holds in Nevada, one in 2022 and the other in 2024. In these cases, individuals are usually put into a 72-hour hold when they are determined to be a danger to self or others.
Tamura’s long distance trip came to light which saw his vehicle followed from Colorado where it was on the 26th of July, then to Nebraska and Iowa on the 27th of July, and finally into Columbia, New Jersey the day of the shooting. Also in his car police found a loaded revolver, a rifle case full of ammunition, and a variety of prescription drugs.
NFL’s Role in CTE Research and Reports of Shooting Which Attribute Brain Injury to the League
The American football community was taken aback by the report of the incident, which left one of their employees in critical but stable condition. In a message reaching staff, Commissioner Roger Goodell also put forward thanks to the police force which responded to the incident and named Officer Islam, whom they are “deeply thankful to for responding so quickly and decisively and to also Officer Islam who gave his life in the line of duty.”
The league put in place right away security measures that included a call for New York’s staff to do remote work, along with a report of increased security at NFL facilities in the coming days and weeks. At the press conferences of some coaches like that of the New York Giants’ Brian Daboll and the Atlanta Falcons’ Raheem Morris, the tragedy was brought up and they issued words of sympathy to the families affected.
The issue at hand, where Shooter Blames NFL for Brain Injury, has brought back to the fore the issue of CTE and its relationship to football. From Boston University’s CTE Center, a study of 376 deceased former NFL players’ brains found 345 had CTE, which is 96%. But also with that come important notes—that these were mostly from families that had a suspicion of CTE, which may in turn introduce bias into the results.
In recent years, the NFL has had to deal with a great deal of legal issues related to concussions, including a 2016 $1 billion settlement with retired players that had brain damage. That settlement, which was supposed to be a precedent in terms of compensation for over 20,000 former players, has instead been marred by delay, fraud issues, and controversial eligibility rules.
In the case of Shooter Blames NFL for Brain Injury, reports also highlight the psychological aspect of CTE issues in individuals. Around one-third of former NFL players report they have CTE, and those who hold this belief also report higher rates of depression, suicidal thoughts, and cognitive problems. This shows how fear of brain injury in and of itself becomes a large-scale mental health issue which does not require a confirmed diagnosis.
Broader Implications and Public Safety Concerns
The 2000 to 2025 Manhattan shooting was one of the deadliest mass shooting incidents in New York City and took place in a year that had 254 mass shootings in the U.S., reports say. In the case of the Shooter Blaming NFL for Brain Injury, we see complex issues playing out in the connection between sports health issues, mental health, and violence.
While research has shown that CTE is related to behavioral changes including aggression and depression, the great majority of people with brain injuries do not turn to violence. The tragedy also brings to light the value of in-depth mental health support and intervention, which is very much a priority for individuals dealing with issues related to what they perceive or have had as a real brain injury.
In this case, issues of gun access and mental health screening are still very much up in the air, as Tamura had legal carry permits at the time despite his health concerns. This issue may play a role in future background check policies and mental health evaluations regarding firearm permits.
In the case of this devastating attack, which was carried out by a broken individual’s belief where the Shooter Blames NFL for Brain Injury, we again see a very complex picture of the relations between sports organizations, health issues, mental health, and public safety. As investigators continue their work and the NFL community mourns its victims, these tragedies also bring current issues of player safety, mental health support measures, and violence prevention to the forefront. The brave action of Officer Islam and the lives that were lost demand from all of us to do whatever it takes to prevent this kind of senseless violence in the future.
