A tragic mass shooting on Monday evening in Midtown Manhattan has left five people dead, including a New York Police Department officer, and several more critically injured. The gunman, identified as 27-year-old Shane Tamura of Las Vegas, opened fire inside a prominent office building at 345 Park Avenue before taking his own life.
The incident began around 6:30 p.m. during the busy evening rush hour. Tamura entered the 44-story building home to major corporations such as Blackstone and the National Football League’s headquarters armed with a rifle. Surveillance footage captured him walking into the premises moments before shots rang out, throwing the area into chaos and panic.
Responding immediately, authorities initiated a Level 3 mobilization, one of the city’s highest emergency alerts. SWAT teams and tactical units swarmed the building as frightened workers sheltered in place. Tamura reportedly made his way up to the 32nd floor, where he ultimately barricaded himself before committing suicide.
Among the dead is an NYPD officer who was working a paid security detail in the building. He succumbed to his injuries at the scene. Four additional victims were also killed, and several others are receiving treatment for critical injuries.
Law enforcement officials found a vehicle registered to Tamura parked near the building, with Nevada license plates and a rifle case inside. Though the shooter’s precise motive remains under investigation, preliminary reports suggest he may have had a fixation with the NFL, one of the building’s high-profile tenants.
Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch both confirmed the threat had been neutralized and the area secured. Surrounding streets, including East 52nd between Park and Lexington Avenues, were locked down for hours, with nearby buildings evacuated or ordered to shelter in place.
Authorities, including the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s office, have since established a command post to assist with the ongoing investigation. This shooting, which took place in one of the city’s most densely populated commercial districts, has reignited urgent concerns over workplace security, gun access across state lines, and mental health intervention.
Built in 1969, 345 Park Avenue is one of Midtown’s most iconic commercial towers. The violent events that unfolded there mark one of the deadliest mass shootings in recent city history and have left residents and leaders alike grappling with shock, grief, and pressing questions about how such a tragedy could occur.
