Discover key facts about Shane Tamura—the 27‑year‑old gunman behind the Midtown Manhattan office shooting—including background, weapon, and possible motive.
Erin Burnett of CNN has come under fire for claiming that the shooter who opened fire in a Midtown building, murdering three people and an NYPD officer, was “possibly white” after seeing the first security footage made public right after Shane Tamura’s fatal rampage.
The images were initially circulated online and showed the 27-year-old Tamura, dressed in a suit, entering 345 Park Avenue in broad daylight while holding an AR-15 rifle from Palmetto State Armoury.
In a broadcast shortly after the shooting Monday night, CNN host Erin Burnett stated that authorities were aware the shooter had “sunglasses, moustache, male, possibly white.”
However, the terrifying picture of Tamura brandishing the AR-15 revealed a potentially darker or more ethnically ambiguous complexion. The suspect may also have Middle Eastern ancestry, according to early police reports. Burnett’s statement was criticised online for being overly hasty and assuming.
What do we know about Shane D Tamura?
According to CNN reports, Shane was born in Hawaii but later moved to Las Vegas. He had no significant criminal background. He had a concealed carry permit for a handgun and an expired private investigator license in Nevada. He was believed to be a former football player for Granada Hills. Some unconfirmed reports suggest that his possible motive was to target the building housing the NFL headquarters, as he had failed to make it to the NFL. However, the police have yet to release an official statement regarding his background.
Tamura entered a skyscraper at 345 Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan just before 6:30 p.m. on Monday, opening fire and injuring a police officer and two others. He first exchanged fire with a New York Police Department officer in the lobby of 345 Park Avenue, at around 6:40 p.m. Then the gunman went up to the 33rd floor, and the NYPD received calls from the 32nd and 33rd floors. They received reports of a body found in a stairwell with a rifle. The skyscraper at 345 Park Avenue houses a number of financial firms, including Blackstone, the world’s largest hedge fund, as well as KPMG and Deutsche Bank, along with the NFL headquarters.
BREAKING: Gunman in Manhattan office building shooting tentatively identified as Shane Tamura, 27, of Nevada pic.twitter.com/J0WVsNLn4V
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) July 29, 2025
Suspected Intention?
Shane Tamura was reportedly a standout running back who graduated high school in 2016 and played football for Granada Hills.
Some unconfirmed reports suggest he may have failed to make it into the NFL, which could have been a possible motive for targeting the building that houses the NFL headquarters. However, these claims remain unverified. Police have not yet released an official statement regarding his background or possible motive.
State Officials Speak Out After NYC Shooting
New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani wrote on X, “I’m heartbroken to learn of the horrific shooting in midtown and I am holding the victims, their families, and the NYPD officer in critical condition in my thoughts. Grateful for all of our first responders on the ground.”
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, a Democrat from New York, wrote, “Deeply disturbed by the horrific shooting in Midtown Manhattan. Praying hard for the brave NYPD officer impacted and all other victims of this tragedy. May God watch over our city during this challenging moment.”
Details Emerge About the Gun Used in Manhattan Shooting
Tamura used a Pametto State Armory AR-15 assault rifle with .223 caliber bullets, NY Post reported.
The gun costs around $420. It has also been reported that Tamura had a conceal carry permit issued to him by the Las Vegas Police Department.
Palmetto State Armory says about their line of AR-15s “Our line of PA-15 rifles is our interpretation of the legendary AR-15 rifle that you have grown to love. When you purchase a PA-15 rifle, you are purchasing not only an American made firearm but one that carries a full lifetime warranty. We offer a variety of configurations that are sure to check all the boxes you’re looking for when deciding on an AR-15.”
Four Killed in Shocking Midtown Manhattan Shooting
Following the shooting incident, the NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch confirmed that the lone shooter has been “neutralised,” as reported by CNN. Numerous emergency vehicles, including ambulances, were seen at the scene. One civilian is reportedly in critical condition, while another civilian and the police officer–who was shot in the back–are expected to recover, CNN reported, citing a law enforcement official. The NYPD bomb squad has also been deployed to the scene. Meanwhile, FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino also stated that authorities from the agency are at the scene assisting the NYPD.
The Truth About Palmetto State Armory
Palmetto State Armory is an American firearms company based in Columbia, South Carolina. The name of the company is derived from SC’s official nickname ‘The Palmetto State’.
The company was started in 2008 by Jamin McCallum, who had a career in accounting prior to this. While the company started off by selling magazines and ammunition, it moved on to making its own firearms and firearm components.
The company is specially known for its line of AR-15s and pistols, with Tamura having purchased one of the former products.
Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley had called the company a “valued member of South Carolina’s thriving business community”.
Shane D Tamura Football Career
According to records sourced from MaxPreps.com, Shane D Tamura wore jersey #2 and played as a running back and defensive back at Granada Hills. Records show that he played for Granada Hills in the 2015 season and he rushed for 616 yards on 126 carries, averaging 4.9 yards per carry and scoring 5 rushing touchdowns. He also stood out on special teams, averaging 29.5 yards per kickoff return, earning regional recognition.
Earlier, as a junior varsity player at Golden Valley High School during the 2014–15 season, Tamura logged 774 rushing yards on 139 carries, with 11 touchdowns, along with 103 receiving yards and 298 kickoff return yards, as per his records on Hudl. He totaled 1,346 all-purpose yards, averaging over 134 yards per game.
Shane Tamura: From Class Clown to Shooter?
Clarke said that Tamura transferred from a school in Santa Clarita, California, to Grenada Hills High School in Los Angeles, right before their senior year in 2015. He described the Manhattan shooter as the “class clown”.
“He was the biggest goofball in the world, just a ton of energy, class clown,” Clarke said. “Just one of those guys, he’s got so much going for him. Just figure out the whole school thing, and he could be somebody great.”
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