Midtown Manhattan shooting: Gunman bought rifle from his boss in Las Vegas; new details emerge
The man who carried out a deadly shooting at a Manhattan office tower bought both the rifle used in the attack and the car he drove cross-country from his supervisor at the Horseshoe Las Vegas casino, New York Police Department said Wednesday.Police reported that Shane Tamura, 27, shot three people dead in the building’s lobby before ascending to the 33rd floor, where he killed a fourth person before taking his own life. The building contains the National Football League’s headquarters and various corporate offices.Police stated the supervisor legally purchased the AR-15-style rifle, selling it to Tamura for $1,400.They corrected their earlier statement that only rifle parts were provided. The legality of the gun sale remains unclear.The supervisor, who remains unnamed, has cooperated with authorities and faces no charges. Police mentioned that Tamura referenced him apologetically in the note found in his wallet after the shooting.Police discovered a note on Tamura’s body criticising the NFL’s approach to chronic traumatic encephalopathy. The former high school football player claimed to suffer from this degenerative brain condition, known as CTE, which researchers have associated with head injuries and concussions.Authorities said that a separate note found in Tamura’s Las Vegas studio flat conveyed distress about disappointing his parents and included an apology to his mother, AP reported.They also discovered prescribed psychiatric medication, anti-epileptic drugs and anti-inflammatory medicine in his possession.NYPD prepares to honour officer Didarul IslamPolice are preparing to hold a funeral on Thursday for Officer Didarul Islam, the NYPD officer killed during Monday’s mass shooting at a Manhattan office tower. Islam, who had served on the force for over three years, was working a department-approved security job at the building when he was fatally shot.Funeral details for two other victims. Etienne and investment firm executive Wesley LePatner, have not yet been made public. Another victim, an NFL employee who was seriously injured, is expected to survive.Investigation turns to Las VegasMeanwhile, teams of NYPD detectives are in Las Vegas investigating the shooter, 27-year-old Shane Tamura. Authorities have searched his locker at the Horseshoe casino and are awaiting warrants to access his phone and laptop. They also plan to question Tamura’s parents.At Tamura’s apartment, police found a note, medication, a rifle tripod, a revolver box (matching a gun found in his car), and ammunition for both weapons. Police confirmed that Tamura had a history of mental illness, but have not released further details.Tamura had a prior run-in with the law in September 2023, when he was arrested for trespassing after refusing to leave a suburban Las Vegas casino. That charge was later dismissed.Despite his mental health history, Tamura was able to legally purchase a revolver just last month. Nevada’s red-flag law one of 21 in the US, allows authorities or family members to seek a court order to temporarily remove firearms from someone deemed a threat. However, no such request was made in Tamura’s case. A new Nevada law, effective this month, also allows police to immediately seize firearms from people placed under mental health crisis holds.
