Gunman with CTE Kills Four at NFL Headquarters in NYC
A gunman killed four people at the NFL headquarters in New York City before taking his own life; he was later diagnosed with Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE).
Shooter who targeted NFL headquarters diagnosed with CTE after death
Washington Examiner
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Overview
- Shane Tamura, a Las Vegas casino worker, targeted the NFL headquarters in a New York City skyscraper, where he fatally shot four people.
- After the attack, Tamura fatally shot himself in the chest, bringing the total number of deaths in the incident to five, including the gunman.
- Multiple sources confirmed that the gunman, Shane Tamura, was later diagnosed with Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) post-mortem.
- CTE is a brain disease confirmed only after death, linked to symptoms like aggression, memory loss, and emotional control issues.
- Repeated head trauma, often seen in NFL players, is a known cause for CTE development, as highlighted by the gunman's diagnosis.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame this story by emphasizing the severe, long-standing impact of CTE on the NFL, using the shooter's violent act as a dramatic entry point. They highlight the league's past denials and substantial financial settlements, portraying CTE as an "existential threat" that has "besieged" the sport, thereby underscoring the NFL's historical culpability.
"Chronic traumatic encephalopathy can affect regions of the brain involved with regulating behavior and emotions."
Associated Press"The gunman who killed four people at the New York headquarters of the NFL had low-stage CTE, the New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner said on Friday."
USA TODAY"The gunman who killed four people in a Manhattan office building had chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease often linked to high-contact sports like American football, according to the New York City medical examiner's office."
BBC NewsArticles (6)
FAQ
Shane Tamura was a 27-year-old man from Nevada, born in Hawaii and raised in California. He played junior varsity and varsity football in high school. At the time of the shooting, he worked in security at a Las Vegas casino and had a history of mental health issues, including two psychiatric holds in 2022 and 2024.
On July 28, 2025, Shane Tamura entered the lobby of 345 Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, where the NFL headquarters is located, and began shooting people randomly. He killed four individuals, including an off-duty police officer, before shooting himself on the 33rd floor of the building.
CTE is a brain disease confirmed post-mortem, caused by repeated head trauma, leading to symptoms such as aggression, memory loss, and emotional control issues. Shane Tamura was diagnosed with CTE after his death, and he left a note blaming the NFL for his brain injury, suggesting a link between his condition and his motives.
Tamura's note blamed the NFL for his brain injury and indicated that he suffered from CTE, asking that his brain be studied. This suggested he targeted the NFL headquarters intentionally due to his condition.
Authorities confirmed Tamura acted independently, had a mental health history, and conducted the attack alone. The motive under investigation focused on his CTE diagnosis and grievance against the NFL. Police believe he targeted the NFL building deliberately, and the incident resulted in five deaths including his own.
History
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