At 6:28 p.m. on July 28, 2025, chaos unfolded in Midtown Manhattan. Inside the 44-story building at 345 Park Avenue, a man wearing body armor and carrying an assault-style rifle opened fire, leaving four people dead and others wounded. The evening rush turned to panic as people fled or hid, not knowing where the gunfire would end.
This post outlines the timeline of the shooting, background on the suspect, information on the victims, possible motives, community response, and legal support available to survivors and families.
Timeline: A Sudden Act of Violence
Shane Devon Tamura, 27, drove cross-country from Las Vegas, making stops in Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, and New Jersey. He arrived in New York City on July 28, parking his black BMW illegally on Park Avenue around 6:28 p.m..
Wearing body armor and carrying what appeared to be an M4- or AR-15-style rifle, he entered the lobby of 345 Park Avenue and immediately shot an off-duty NYPD officer working private security. He then fired on a security guard and another civilian before taking an elevator.
Tamura mistakenly chose the wrong elevator bank and ended up on the 33rd floor, where he entered the Rudin Management offices and killed another victim. After barricading himself inside a room, he turned the weapon on himself. Police later confirmed he died by suicide.
Who Was Shane Tamura?
Tamura was a former high school football player from Hawaii and Los Angeles. He most recently worked as a casino security guard in Las Vegas and held a concealed-carry permit.
His background revealed no professional sports history, but a suicide note found on his body referred to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). He blamed the NFL for ignoring concussion risks and requested that his brain be studied post-mortem. Medication bottles were found in his car, suggesting prior mental health treatment.
Despite his claims, classmates from high school described him as a “goofball” with no known history of instability during his school years.
The Victims and Their Stories
Four people lost their lives in this horrific attack:
- Officer Didarul Islam, 36, a father of two, was working a private security shift when he was shot near the front desk.
- Wesley LePatner, a managing director at Blackstone, was also killed.
- Julia Hyman, a young employee at Rudin Management and Cornell graduate, was gunned down on the 33rd floor.
- Aland Etienne, a building security guard, died at the scene.
One additional victim, a 41-year-old NFL employee, was critically injured but survived. Several others suffered minor injuries during the evacuation. Witnesses described scenes of terror—barricaded doors, smashed windows, and confusion as building staff tried to guide occupants to safety.
Motive and Mental Health: A Troubled Mind
The note left behind by Tamura cited CTE and the NFL as causes for his mental deterioration. He referenced former NFL player Terry Long, who had a known history of mental illness and suicide.
While Tamura claimed he was suffering from CTE, experts note that CTE can only be diagnosed posthumously. No confirmed evidence has surfaced to suggest he experienced any traumatic brain injuries or that he had a direct link to the NFL.
Tamura traveled cross-country with multiple firearms and medication. Law enforcement continues to investigate his movements and whether any grievance against the NFL, real or perceived, triggered the attack.
Law Enforcement and Government Response
Police and emergency responders arrived quickly after the first shots. NYPD, FBI, and FDNY locked down the building, secured Park Avenue, and deployed drones and tactical teams to contain the situation.
Mayor Eric Adams confirmed that Tamura appeared to target the NFL offices, located on a different floor, but mistakenly exited the elevator early. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch shared detailed accounts of Tamura’s actions, timeline, and weaponry.
Legal Support for Victims and Families
In the wake of mass violence, civil legal claims may offer a path toward accountability and compensation. Victims and families may be able to pursue claims for:
- Wrongful death
- Negligent security
- Premises liability
- Emotional trauma
Timing matters. Preserving evidence, securing witness statements, and reviewing building security procedures are critical in the early days after an incident.
We are committed to seeking justice and compensation for victims of mass violence. If you or a loved one was affected by the Midtown shooting, click here for a free, confidential case review.
Conclusion
The July 28 shooting at 345 Park Avenue marked one of the most shocking acts of workplace violence in recent NYC history. A troubled individual, fueled by personal struggles and an apparent obsession with the NFL, took four innocent lives and left lasting scars on families and the city.
NYC Injury Attorneys, P.C. stands with victims and their loved ones. For legal guidance or support after this tragedy, visit https://nyc-injury-attorneys.com/ to get help.