A former high school football player caused a tragedy by killing four individuals inside a Manhattan office building that is home to the NFL headquarters. Blaming the NFL for concealing the risks of brain injuries, Shane Tamura, 27, was found to have chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) by the New York City medical examiner. Tamura, a Las Vegas casino employee, committed suicide after the shooting incident on July 28, which claimed the lives of four people, including a police officer, a security guard, and two building occupants.
Although Tamura had intended to target the NFL office, he mistakenly entered the wrong elevator. The deceased included a police officer, a security guard, and two office workers, while an NFL staff member survived with injuries. In a note discovered in his wallet, Tamura mentioned his CTE condition and urged further examination of his brain postmortem.
The NFL responded to Tamura’s accusations, emphasizing that there is no excuse for his violent actions. The league acknowledged the evolving scientific understanding of CTE and its impact on individuals involved in contact sports. CTE affects brain areas responsible for behavior and emotions, particularly associated with concussions and head trauma from sports activities.
Notably, the NFL admitted the connection between football and CTE in 2016, settling numerous concussion-related claims with retired players. Despite playing high school football in California years ago, Tamura never pursued a professional football career. Reports revealed Tamura’s mental health struggles, including a past arrest for trespassing in Las Vegas in 2023, which was later dismissed by prosecutors.
