In a tragic incident that shocked New York City, Shane Tamura, a 27-year-old gunman, opened fire in a Manhattan office building, killing four people before taking his own life. The New York City medical examiner’s office has since revealed that Tamura suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease often associated with high-contact sports like American football. The autopsy confirmed that Tamura had ‘low-stage CTE,’ a condition caused by repeated head trauma, which can lead to symptoms such as memory loss, depression, and progressive dementia. CTE can only be diagnosed post-mortem, and the medical examiner described the diagnosis as ‘unambiguous.’
Tamura, a former high school football player, drove from Las Vegas to New York City in July with an assault-style rifle. Police believe he intended to target the offices of the National Football League (NFL), located in the Park Avenue skyscraper. However, he took the wrong elevator and ended up in a different part of the building. In a suicide note left at the scene, Tamura reportedly blamed the NFL for concealing the effects of CTE and requested that his brain be studied. ‘Study my brain please,’ he wrote, according to a senior official who spoke to ABC News. He also expressed remorse, writing, ‘I’m sorry.’
Among the victims were NYPD officer Didarul Islam; Wesley LePatner, an employee of finance giant Blackstone; Julia Hyman, an employee at Rudin Management; and NFL employee Craig Clementi, who was seriously injured. Police noted that Tamura had a history of mental health issues, which may have contributed to the tragedy.
The incident has reignited discussions about the long-term effects of high-contact sports and the responsibility of organizations like the NFL in addressing the risks associated with CTE. As science continues to evolve, the physical and mental manifestations of CTE remain under study, highlighting the need for further research and awareness.