Gunman Kills Four, Including NYPD Officer, in Manhattan Office Tower
Tragic Attack in Midtown Leaves City Reeling
A brazen daylight assault shattered the calm of a Midtown Manhattan office building Tuesday, leaving four dead, including an off-duty police officer, and a fifth person critically wounded before the assailant ended his own life.
Heroic Officer Identified
The fallen officer was identified as **Didarul Islam**, 36, an immigrant from Bangladesh who had served the New York City Police Department for three and a half years. Police Commissioner **Jessica Tisch** hailed him as a hero, noting he was a devoted husband with two young sons and a third child on the way.
Suspect and Unclear Motive
Authorities identified the shooter as **Shane Tamura**, a resident of Las Vegas. While **Tamura** had a “documented mental health history,” his specific motive for targeting the Park Avenue building remains under investigation, Commissioner **Tisch** stated.
“He died as he lived. A hero.”
—Jessica Tisch, Police Commissioner
Attack Unfolds in Real-Time
Surveillance footage captured **Tamura** exiting a double-parked BMW, carrying an M4 rifle, and immediately opening fire as he entered the building. He shot Officer **Islam**, then a woman attempting to find cover, and continued “spraying” the lobby with gunfire, according to Commissioner **Tisch**.
The gunman proceeded to the elevator bank, where he shot a security guard and another man in the lobby. He then ascended to the 33rd floor, where he killed a staff member at a real estate management company before turning the weapon on himself.
Building and Victim Details
The targeted building houses offices for major financial firms and the National Football League. Among those in the building during the attack was **Jessica Chen**, who described hearing “multiple shots go off in quick succession from the first floor” while attending a presentation. She and others sought refuge in a conference room, barricading the door.
“We were honestly really, really scared,” **Chen** recounted, adding she texted her parents to express her love.
Mayor **Eric Adams** confirmed five innocent individuals were shot, in addition to the perpetrator. He stated officials are actively “unravelling” the events. Another man sustained serious injuries and remains in critical condition.
Evidence Recovered
Inside **Tamura**’s vehicle, police discovered a rifle case, a revolver, multiple magazines, and ammunition. The Fire Department of New York responded to the scene around 6:30 p.m.
Community Reaction
Witnesses from nearby offices described scenes of panic as people fled the building with their hands raised. One witness, **Anna Smith**, was picking up dinner when they heard a loud noise and saw a surge of people running. “It was like a crowd panic,” she said.
Location of the Attack
The office tower is situated in a bustling midtown area, close to Grand Central Terminal and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The incident prompted traffic advisories and disruptions to public transportation.
New York City has seen a significant decrease in murders and shooting incidents this year, with through late July on pace for its lowest figures in decades. This attack serves as a stark reminder of the persistent threat of gun violence.
