Suspected Manhattan shooter allegedly asserted having Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), referencing the NFL in a written statement, according to multiple sources
In a tragic turn of events, Shane Devon Tamura, a 27-year-old with a history of mental health issues, carried out a mass shooting at the NFL's headquarters in Midtown Manhattan on Monday[1][3]. Four people lost their lives, including an off-duty police officer, and Tamura took his own life[1][3].
The motive behind the shooting appears to be linked to Tamura's belief that the NFL concealed the dangers of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a neurodegenerative disease associated with repeated head trauma, in football players[2]. In a three-page note found in his pocket, Tamura pleaded, "Study my brain please. I’m sorry." He also wrote, "Terry Long football gave me CTE and it caused me to drink a gallon of antifreeze. You can’t go against the NFL, they’ll squash you." This suggests he saw the league as responsible for the brain injuries suffered by players, including himself[2].
Experts from Boston University's CTE Center have urged caution when drawing conclusions about the shooting. While they offered their assistance to investigators, they emphasized that the links among CTE, suicide, and violence are not well understood, and that mental illness, which can be managed if treated early, was an important contributing factor[2].
Tamura used an M4-style semiautomatic Palmetto State Armory PA-15 rifle in the shooting. He entered 345 Park Avenue and immediately opened fire on an NYPD officer and a woman, wounding them. He also shot a security guard at the elevator bank and another victim on the 33rd floor before taking his own life[1].
The shooting resulted in a large NFL crest on the wall by one of the elevator banks being riddled with bullet holes. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has ordered flags on all state government buildings to be flown at half-staff in honor of the victims[1].
In the days leading up to the shooting, Tamura legally purchased a .357 revolver in Nevada and had a loaded Colt Python in his car at the time of the attack, along with ammunition, medication, and two cellphones[1]. In June, someone at a gun show in Las Vegas called in a tip saying Tamura had purchased large amounts of ammunition and an aftermarket trigger[1].
CTE, or chronic traumatic encephalopathy, is a brain disease linked to repeated hits to the head, often seen in military veterans and athletes including football players, hockey players, and boxers[4]. The tragedy in Manhattan serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing debate about the dangers of football and the role of the NFL in addressing these issues.
[1] New York Post
[2] Boston Globe
[3] CNN
[4] Mayo Clinic
- Shane Devon Tamura's act of violence at the NFL's headquarters in New York City appeared to stem from his belief that the league hid the dangers of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in football players, as mentioned in a three-page note found on him.
- The New York shooting left four people dead, including an off-duty police officer, and Tamura took his own life, suggesting a possible link between football-related brain injuries and mental health crisis.
- The ongoing debate about the dangers of football and the NFL's role in addressing these issues has been highlighted by the tragic events in Manhattan.
- Experts from Boston University's CTE Center have urged caution when drawing conclusions about the shooting, emphasizing that the links among CTE, suicide, and violence are not well understood, and that mental illness, which can be managed if treated early, was an important contributing factor.
- In the wake of the shooting, football, a major part of American culture and the NFL, is being scrutinized for its potential impact on players' health and wellness, including mental health, as well as its responsibility in protecting players from CTE and other brain injuries.
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