Shane Tamura, the 27-year-old gunman who stormed an office building in Midtown Manhattan and killed four people in a targeted attack near the NFL’s headquarters, has been diagnosed with Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), according to the New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
According to ABC News, Tamura, who drove from Las Vegas to New York before the July attack, left behind a chilling three-page note claiming he had a traumatic brain injury and directly blaming the NFL for hiding the long-term risks of repeated head trauma in players. “Study my brain, please. I’m sorry,” he wrote.
In a statement released Friday, the medical examiner’s office said, “Following a thorough assessment and extensive analysis by our neuropathology experts, OCME has found unambiguous diagnostic evidence of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, also known as CTE, in the brain tissue of the decedent.” They noted the findings were consistent with early-stage CTE, a degenerative brain condition linked to repetitive brain injuries, most commonly seen in contact sports.
CTE has been a lightning rod for controversy in professional football, with the NFL facing years of scrutiny over how it handled player concussions and the lasting effects on athletes’ mental health. While Tamura’s motive appears rooted in those concerns, officials have stopped short of linking the disease directly to his deadly actions.
“CTE may be found in the brains of decedents with a history of repeated exposure to head trauma,” the examiner’s statement continued. “The science around this condition continues to evolve, and the physical and mental manifestations of CTE remain under study.”
Tamura entered the building just before 6:30 p.m. and opened fire in the lobby, killing three people in under 30 seconds. He then moved to the 33rd floor, where he fatally shot 27-year-old Julia Hyman before turning the gun on himself. All told, Tamura fired 47 rounds, indicating he reloaded at least once.
His victims were Aland Etienne, a building security guard; Wesley LePatner, a Blackstone executive and mother; Didarul Islam, an NYPD officer and father of two; and Julia Hyman, a Rudin Management employee.
The NFL responded, saying, “There is no justification for the horrific acts that took place. We continue to grieve the senseless loss of lives, and our hearts remain with the victims’ families and our dedicated employees.”
While Tamura’s final words and the diagnosis add a complex layer to the tragedy, one fact remains clear: four innocent lives were taken, and a broader conversation about brain health in sports continues.
