A lone gunman killed four people, including a New York Police Department (NYPD) Officer in Midtown before killing himself. The shooting incident occurred during rush hour on Monday evening at a Park Avenue skyscraper that houses the Blackstone investment firm and the headquarters of National Football League (NFL). Another person who was shot survived and is critical but stable condition. An NFL employee was serious injured, as per a staff memo.
The suspect, identified as 27-year old Shane Devon Tamura from Las Vegas, died from an “apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound”. Officials describe the suspect carrying a rifle into the building “praying gunfire”.
Officer Didarul Islam, an immigrant from Bangladesh, has been hailed as a “hero” by officials.
As per media reports, the suspect had a suicide in his pocket expressing grievances with the NFL and saying he suffered from CTE, a disease linked to head trauma (also commonly associated with football players resulting from repetitive hits to the head); he also asked for his brain to be studied.
Tamura was carrying an M4 assault-style rifle. Police found a loaded revolver, a rifle case, ammunition, magazines, a backpack, and prescribed medication in his car. No explosives were found. Tamura was licensed to carry a concealed weapon in the state of Nevada.
Active shooter incidents with significant potential for harm and loss of life, remain a significant concern in the United States. Incidents have been reported from schools, businesses, healthcare facilities and public spaces. Experts suggest that availability of guns, mental health issues, social isolation, and exposure to violence in media and culture may contribute to active shooter incidents.
In response to active shooter incidents, US corporations are increasingly focused on protective measures such as enhanced security protocols (particularly surveillance, identity and access management), employee training (including active shooter drills), collaboration with law enforcement, mental health support, event security, executive protection and incident and emergency response protocols.