A troubled 27-year-old man with a history of mental illness and a concealed firearms permit unleashed a deadly shooting spree at a Midtown NYC skyscraper, killing four—including a heroic NYPD officer—before taking his own life, leaving the city in shock and raising urgent questions about mental health, gun control, and public safety.

On a seemingly ordinary Monday evening in Midtown Manhattan, the tranquility of one of the city’s busiest commercial hubs was shattered in a violent burst of gunfire that left four people dead—including a devoted NYPD officer—and several others wounded.

The shooter, Shane Tamura, a 27-year-old man from Las Vegas with a documented history of mental health struggles, launched his deadly assault at around 6:30 p.m.

inside the sleek 44-story building at 345 Park Avenue, home to prestigious companies such as Blackstone and the NFL headquarters.

Security footage showed Tamura calmly stepping out of a double-parked black BMW between 51st and 52nd Streets, carrying an M4 rifle. Witnesses describe a man dressed sharply in a blazer and dark sunglasses, blending into the bustling crowd moments before chaos erupted.

According to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, Tamura’s rampage began the instant he entered the lobby. His first victim was Officer Didarul Islam, 36, a married police officer from the 47th Precinct who was working a paid detail at the building for Rudin Properties.

Islam was shot in the back and later died at the hospital, leaving behind a pregnant wife and two children. “He was a brave officer, dedicated to protecting his city,” officials said, mourning the loss of a promising life cut tragically short.

The gunfire quickly escalated. Tamura sprayed bullets across the lobby, fatally shooting a woman who had sought refuge behind a pillar and a security guard who had crouched at his desk.

Another man was critically wounded but survived. Striking a chilling note amid the violence, Tamura allowed a woman to exit the elevators unharmed before moving deeper into the building.

The shooter then took an elevator to the 33rd floor, where the offices of Rudin Management are located. There, he continued his rampage, firing as he moved through the hallways and killing another man.

His violent spree came to an end when he turned the rifle on himself, shooting himself in the chest. Authorities confirmed his death at the scene, which was secured and declared contained by 7:52 p.m.

Eyewitnesses recounted the panic and terror that unfolded in those tense moments. One worker described hearing “a barrage of shots, like an automatic weapon,” while another said, “Shots came from everywhere. We hid, we ran, we prayed.”

Outside, scenes of chaos erupted as people fled the building, hands raised in surrender, while officers and emergency responders swarmed the area.

Some Blackstone employees hastily barricaded themselves inside by stacking furniture against doors in a desperate attempt to stay safe.

Tamura’s vehicle, bearing Nevada plates, was found at the scene along with a rifle case, a loaded revolver, ammunition, magazines, a backpack, and prescribed medication.

Authorities confirmed that Tamura was a security guard at a Las Vegas casino and had not reported to work the previous day, raising alarms before the attack.

Despite his mental health history, Tamura held a valid concealed firearms permit issued in Las Vegas, which was set to expire in 2027.

The motive behind Tamura’s deadly rampage remains unknown. Commissioner Tisch stated investigators were working diligently to understand why he targeted this particular building.

The attack has raised serious concerns about how someone with documented mental health issues and a legal firearm permit could carry out such devastation in one of the world’s most tightly secured cities.

The aftermath has left New Yorkers grappling with grief and shock. Officer Islam’s sacrifice has been honored widely, with tributes pouring in from fellow officers, city officials, and citizens alike.

The tragedy has also sparked broader discussions about gun control, mental health support, and public safety, igniting calls for reforms to prevent similar events in the future.

As the city mourns, two unrelated arrests were made near the scene after protesters caused a disruption, including one individual who shouted, “Free Palestine, I’m not the shooter,” highlighting the tense and volatile atmosphere in the hours following the shooting.

This grim incident at 345 Park Avenue stands as a stark reminder of how quickly life can change and the vulnerabilities that still exist even in the most iconic and secure urban centers.

The city, its people, and the loved ones of those lost now face the difficult road ahead, seeking justice, healing, and answers to a tragedy that has forever altered the heart of Midtown Manhattan.