What began as a routine evening rush hour in Midtown Manhattan turned into a horrific scene of violence on Monday, when a heavily armed gunman opened fire inside a prominent skyscraper, killing five people—including an NYPD officer—before taking his own life.
Authorities have identified the shooter as 27-year-old Shane Tamura of Las Vegas. Dressed in business attire and carrying an assault-style rifle, Tamura entered 324 Park Avenue just after 6:30 p.m. Witnesses say he appeared disturbingly calm as he crossed the building’s plaza with the weapon in full view.
The 44-story building, home to major firms like Blackstone and the NFL’s headquarters, quickly descended into chaos. Workers ran for cover as rapid gunfire echoed through the marble-floored lobby. “It sounded like a machine gun. I thought it was fireworks until I saw people running,” said one eyewitness who fled from the ground floor.
Four civilians were killed in the initial rampage, along with a police officer assigned to an off-duty security detail at the building. Six others were hospitalized, several in critical condition. Tamura eventually barricaded himself on the 33rd floor, where responding officers later discovered his body alongside multiple victims. Officials confirmed he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Emergency responders flooded the scene within minutes. Graphic footage captured NYPD officers performing CPR on victims on the street outside, while helicopters circled overhead. The FBI and bomb squad joined the response team to ensure there were no secondary threats.
“The lone shooter has been neutralized. The building is secure,” NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said in a public statement.
The officer killed was reportedly a member of the 47th Precinct in the Bronx. He had been working private security for Rudin Properties, the building’s owner, when he was fatally shot.
Adding to the chaos, two individuals were arrested after shouting political slogans unrelated to the shooting, prompting backlash from police and bystanders alike.
City officials have yet to determine a clear motive behind Tamura’s actions. No ties to extremist groups have been confirmed, but law enforcement sources say the investigation is ongoing and includes digital forensics, interviews with family and associates, and a full background check.
Mayor Eric Adams condemned the violence and urged New Yorkers to remain vigilant. “We are heartbroken, but we are resilient. This city has faced dark days before, and we will face this tragedy with strength and unity,” he said at a late-evening press conference.
The attack has reignited conversations about building security, mental health, and access to high-powered firearms in dense urban environments. For now, Midtown is shaken—its towering glass walls scarred by yet another unthinkable act of violence.
