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Midtown mass shooter had CTE, which he cited in suicide note, medical examiners say
By
Charles Lane
Published Sep 26, 2025
Modified Sep 26, 2025
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John Lamparski / AFP via Getty Images
By
Charles Lane
Published Sep 26, 2025
Modified Sep 26, 2025
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The gunman who killed four people in a mass shooting in Midtown in July had chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a brain disease linked to repeated head trauma, city medical examiners announced Friday.
Shane Tamura, 27, had "unambiguous diagnostic evidence" of low-stage CTE, according to the chief medical examiner's office, which completed its neuropathological examination of his brain tissue.
Tamura left a suicide note blaming his mental health struggles on CTE and specifically blaming the NFL for his condition, authorities said. Mayor Eric Adams said at the time that Tamura appeared to be targeting the NFL headquarters in the Park Avenue office building where he opened fire on July 28.
Tamura killed four people, including NYPD Officer Didarul Islam, before fatally shooting himself, police said. A fifth person was critically wounded.
A viral video showed Tamura playing on his high-school football team, but officials said he was not a professional athlete. In his suicide note, Tamura implored doctors to "study my brain," according to Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch.
Police found bottles of antipsychotic medication in Tamura's Las Vegas apartment after the shooting, along with anti-inflammatory and anti-epileptic drugs, authorities said.
CTE has been increasingly linked to football players and other athletes who experience repeated head impacts, though it can typically only be diagnosed after death through brain tissue examination.
"CTE may be found in the brains of decedents with a history of repeated exposure to head trauma," the medical examiner's office said in a statement.
The NFL said in a statement there is no justification for the horrific acts that took place. The organization also pointed to statements issued by the medical examiner that the science around CTE continues to evolve and remain under study.
This story has been updated to include a comment from the NFL.
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Charles Lane
Charles is a Day-of reporter focused on breaking news and enterprise. He’s very friendly and can be reached at [email protected], or more securely on whatsapp/signal 631-295-6715
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