NYC shooter who targeted NFL HQ had CTE: Medical examiner
The man who opened fire in the NFL’s New York City headquarters in July was found to have chronic traumatic encephalopathy, also known as CTE, the NYC medical examiner’s office confirmed Friday. The shooter killed four people, including a New York Police Department officer.
CTE is a serious, progressive brain disease caused by repeated head injuries, most commonly seen in athletes in contact sports. It can only be diagnosed posthumously, according to WebMD. Some symptoms of the disease include aggression, memory loss, paranoia, emotional instability and suicidal thoughts or behavior.
“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,” a statement from the medical examiner’s office reads. “The findings correspond with the classification of low-stage CTE, according to current consensus criteria.”
Shooter blamed NFL, requested brain be studied
SAN previously reported that the gunman, Shane Tamura, 27, took his own life after shooting and killing others during the rampage at 345 Park Ave. on July 28. Investigators said Tamura was intentionally targeting people who worked at the NFL headquarters, not just random individuals.
Investigators found two handwritten notes written by Tamura — one on his body and another at his home in Las Vegas. In the notes, Tamura blamed the NFL, accusing it of hiding the risks of CTE in order to make money. In another note, he asked for his brain to be examined after death and apologized to his family.
Tamura played football in high school. However, he did not play college football or in the NFL.
NFL, authorities respond to tragedy
“We continue to grieve the senseless loss of lives, and our hearts remain with the victims’ families and our dedicated employees,” the NFL said in a statement, as reported by ESPN. “There is no justification for the horrific acts that took place. As the medical examiner notes, ‘the science around this condition continues to evolve, and the physical and mental manifestations of CTE remain under study.”
Tamura had a history of mental health incidents. He had been placed on mental health crisis holds in Nevada twice — once in 2022 and again in 2024. Police said he drove across the country in a BMW and arrived in New York just hours before carrying out the attack.
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Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
