An employee of the National Football League was seriously hurt in a shooting on Monday at a midtown Manhattan building that hosts the NFL’s offices and several major financial companies, according to commissioner Roger Goodell’s memo to staff.
Authorities reported that four people, including an off-duty New York City police officer, lost their lives, and another person suffered critical injuries in the incident at 345 Park Ave.
“In this attack, one of our employees was seriously injured. He is now in stable condition at the hospital,” Goodell mentioned in the memo shared with ESPN. “NFL staff are present at the hospital, and we are supporting his family. We think all other employees are safe and accounted for, and the building is almost cleared.”
Goodell also stated that there would be an “increased security presence” at the league’s offices “in the coming days and weeks.” He advised employees in New York to work from home on Tuesday or take the day off if they prefer.
“You are all important members of the NFL family,” Goodell stated. “We will get through this together.”
Police have identified the shooter as Shane Tamura from Las Vegas, who took his own life. He had a known history of mental health issues, but the reason for his actions remains unclear, according to Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch during a news conference.
“We are trying to find out why he chose this specific place,” Tisch mentioned.
Tamura had a three-page letter with him where he claimed to have CTE and requested that his brain be examined, police sources told ABC News on Tuesday. The notes included vague mentions of the NFL, according to those sources.
CTE, or chronic traumatic encephalopathy, can only be diagnosed after examining the brain post-mortem. It is a progressive brain disease associated with repeated head injuries.
The New York City Fire Department reported that emergency teams arrived at the Park Avenue office building around 6:30 p.m. following reports of a shooting.
At that time, NFL employees were instructed to stay in place, as reported by ESPN’s Jeff Darlington. The NFL offices occupy floors five through eight of the 44-story building.
Four other people suffered minor injuries while trying to escape.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams stated that officials are still working to piece together what happened.
