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๐ฐ Tragedy in Midtown Manhattan: The 345 Park Avenue Shooting
On the evening of July 28, 2025, a mass shooting unfolded at 345 Park Avenue, a prominent Midtown Manhattan high-rise housing major corporate tenants, including Blackstone, the NFL, and KPMG(Yahoo, Wikipedia, The Wall Street Journal, Business Insider, People.com, TIME).
Shooter Profile:
The gunman, identified as 27-year-old Shane Devon Tamura from Las Vegas (originally from Hawaii), entered the building at approximately 6:30 p.m. armed with an M4 rifle and wearing a bulletproof vest(The Wall Street Journal, TIME, The Scottish Sun). He reportedly drove cross-country, leaving weapons and medication in his vehicle(The Wall Street Journal, TIME).
The Attack:
Tamura opened fire in the lobby, killing four people and seriously injuring others. Victims included:
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Officer Didarul Islam, an off‑duty NYPD officer working security;
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Aland Etienne, a security guard;
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Wesley LePatner, a senior managing director at Blackstone;
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An unidentified person on the 33rd floor in the Rudin Management offices before Tamura committed suicide(The Wall Street Journal, Business Insider, The Scottish Sun, TIME).
An NFL employee was also seriously injured and hospitalized in stable condition; authorities said Tamura likely targeted NFL staff but mistakenly took the wrong elevator bank(People.com, Business Insider, The Wall Street Journal).
Motive and Suicide Note:
Tamura left a note referencing chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain condition linked to repeated head trauma. He blamed the NFL for his condition and cited former NFL player Terry Long—who died by suicide after being diagnosed with CTE—as a reference point(TIME, The Wall Street Journal, Business Insider).
Corporate Location:
The iconic 345 Park Avenue building, owned by Rudin Management, spans 44 stories and approximately 1.9 million square feet. Completed in 1969 and designed by Emery Roth & Sons, it hosts tenants including Blackstone, NFL, KPMG, Deutsche Bank, and others(Wikipedia, Yahoo, Company Headquarters, CoStar).
⚱️ Blackstone’s Footprint at 345 Park Avenue
Blackstone, a global asset management firm, has been headquartered at 345 Park Avenue since 1988, when it leased two floors (~70,000 sq ft)(Mann Publications, citybuzz, Connect CRE). In 2024, Blackstone expanded its footprint to approximately 1.06 million square feet across 28 floors, accounting for about 55% of the building, under a lease extension through 2034(CoStar, Mann Publications, Connect CRE, CRE Daily).
๐ง CTE: A Core Element of the Shooter’s Motive
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) is a brain disorder associated with repeated head trauma and concussions—often seen in retired athletes, especially from contact sports like football. CTE can manifest with severe mental health symptoms including depression, cognitive decline, and suicidal ideation.
Tamura's suicide note alluded to believing he had CTE and blamed the NFL, referencing Terry Long, a former Pittsburgh Steelers player diagnosed posthumously with the disease after his suicide in 2005(TIME).
๐ค Individuals Affected
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Shane Devon Tamura: Alleged shooter, 27, mental health struggles, traveled cross-country, armed with assault rifle, left suicide note blaming NFL for CTE(TIME, The Wall Street Journal).
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Officer Didarul Islam: 36-year-old NYPD officer working security; killed in the lobby while protecting others; married with children; his wife is pregnant(The Wall Street Journal, The Wall Street Journal).
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Aland Etienne: Building security guard; described by union as a committed hero; killed in the lobby(The Wall Street Journal, The Scottish Sun).
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Wesley LePatner: Senior managing director at Blackstone; among the deceased; mourned by the firm as beloved and respected(The Wall Street Journal, Business Insider).
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NFL Employee: Seriously injured and hospitalized in stable condition; presumably targeted because of Tamura’s grievance with the NFL(People.com, Business Insider).
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Unidentified victim on 33rd floor: Killed inside the Rudin Management office area where Tamura mistakenly went(The Wall Street Journal, Business Insider).
๐งพ Key Takeaways & Aftermath
| Area of Focus | Key Details |
|---|---|
| Location & Timing | 345 Park Ave, Midtown Manhattan. Attack began ~6:30 pm, July 28, 2025. |
| Aggregate Impact | 4 killed, several injured; shooter died by suicide. |
| Target | Appeared intended for NFL HQ; wrong elevator took him to Rudin offices. |
| Motive | Mental health issues; belief in CTE; blamed NFL and its role. |
| Corporate Consequences | NFL staff told to work remotely; building closed during investigations. |
| Legal & Security Response | Full NYPD and FBI investigation; increased security protocols. |
๐ข Final Thoughts
The 345 Park Avenue shooting stands as New York City's deadliest mass shooting since 2000. It underscores urgent challenges surrounding mental health, violent grievances tied to perceived injury (like CTE), and the vulnerability of high-traffic corporate centers.
Blackstone has reaffirmed its commitment to Midtown through a significant lease extension, while the tragic death of Wesley LePatner and Officer Islam reflects the broader real-world stakes beyond headlines.
This event is still under police investigation. As facts continue to emerge, the city is reflecting on renewed security, mental health awareness, and honoring the memory of those lost.
