Investigators are trying into whether or not a Las Vegas man who went on a lethal taking pictures spree in Manhattan Monday was focusing on the Nationwide Soccer League after it emerged that the gunman was a former Los Angeles highschool soccer participant with a documented psychological well being historical past.
New York Mayor Eric Adams stated Tuesday that the gunman, recognized by regulation enforcement officers as 27-year-old Shane Tamura, was making an attempt to focus on the N.F.L however took the flawed elevator.
Regulation enforcement officers have stated that the gunman marched right into a 44-story workplace tower on Park Avenue that’s the headquarters of the Nationwide Soccer League and funding agency Blackstone, at round 6:25 pm Monday carrying an M4 assault rifle in his proper hand. He instantly opened fireplace within the foyer, taking pictures first an NYPD officer, then a girl who took cowl behind a pillar and a safety guard behind the safety desk.
After spraying extra gunfire throughout the foyer, the gunman acquired into an elevator and went to the thirty third flooring, which homes the Rudin Administration actual property agency. He then walked across the flooring, firing extra rounds and taking pictures and killing one other particular person, earlier than strolling down a hallway and fatally taking pictures himself within the chest.
“Mr. Tamura has a documented psychological well being historical past,” New York Metropolis Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch stated Monday evening at a information convention, citing Las Vegas regulation enforcement. “His motives are nonetheless underneath investigation, and we’re working to know why he focused this specific location.”
Tamura, who was a celebrated varsity highschool participant at Golden Valley Excessive Faculty in Santa Clarita and Granada Hills Constitution within the San Fernando Valley, had a suicide observe in his again pocket alleging that he suffered from CTE, a mind illness linked to move trauma, CNN reported, citing a supply with data of the investigation.
Within the quick three-page observe, he appeared responsible soccer for his issues, referencing former Pittsburgh Steelers participant Terry Lengthy, who died by suicide after consuming antifreeze in 2005, and expressing grievances with the N.F.L..
“Terry Lengthy soccer gave me CTE and it prompted me to drink a gallon of antifreeze,” the gunman allegedly wrote. “You possibly can’t go towards the NFL, they’ll squash you,” the observe stated, in keeping with the supply.
“Examine my mind please I’m sorry Inform Rick I’m sorry for every thing,”
N.F.L. commissioner Roger Goodell reportedly stated an NFL worker was critically injured within the assault.
Tamura performed soccer at Golden Valley Excessive Faculty within the Canyon Nation neighborhood of Santa Clarita for 3 years earlier than transferring to Granada Hills Constitution Faculty for his senior yr in 2015.
Dan Kelley, Golden Valley coach, stated solely that he remembered Tamura as “an excellent athlete.”
In his senior yr at Granada Hills, the 5-foot-7, 140-pound participant had 126 carries, 600 dashing yards and 5 touchdowns, in keeping with MaxPreps. He additionally gained a number of “participant of the sport” awards. He graduated in 2016, the location stated.
The preliminary investigation signifies that Tamura had traveled from Las Vegas to New York, driving a BMW cross nation by way of Colorado, Nebraska and New Jersey over the weekend.
Regulation enforcement stated that officers searched the automobile the gunman double parked on Park Avenue between 51st and 52nd streets and located a rifle case with rounds, a loaded revolver ammunition and magazines, a backpack and drugs prescribed to Tamura. No explosives have been inside.
The slain police officer, Didarul Islam, 36, had been on the job for 4 years, in keeping with Tisch. He was married with two younger sons and his spouse was pregnant with their third baby.
The Related Press and Occasions employees author Eric Sondheimer contributed to this report.
