Midtown Manhattan Shooting Incident Linked to NFL and CTE
A gunman opened fire in a Midtown Manhattan office building on Monday, and reports indicate he left behind a note mentioning the National Football League (NFL) and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), as detailed by the New York Post.
The shooter, 27-year-old Shane Tamura, is alleged to have shot several individuals. Following the shooting, law enforcement discovered a memo attributed to Tamura that included troubling messages. One part of the note reportedly stated, “Terry Longsoccer gave me a CTE and I gave him a gallon of antifreeze,” which signals a potential reference to former NFL player Terry Long.
The memo went on to accuse the NFL of hiding dangers associated with brain injuries for profit and included remarks like, “You can’t oppose the NFL, they will crush you.” It suggested a personal struggle with CTE, emphasizing the detrimental impact the league has had on players.
The note references Terry Long, an offensive lineman for the Pittsburgh Steelers, who was diagnosed with CTE and tragically took his own life in 2005 after drinking antifreeze.
Interestingly, while Tamura did play soccer in high school, he never pursued it professionally. There doesn’t seem to be any direct connection between him and the NFL, and authorities have not found clear evidence linking him to any CTE diagnosis.
CTE is typically associated with repeated head trauma and is primarily identified in athletes, particularly in football. However, diagnosing the condition in living individuals remains problematic.
Mayor Eric Adams noted that Tamura seemed to be targeting the NFL but ended up on the wrong floor of the building due to an incorrect elevator choice. Tamura traveled from Las Vegas to New York with a high-powered rifle and set the building on fire at 345 Park Avenue before taking his own life.
Reports highlight that Tamura had a documented history of mental health issues. Tragically, three civilians and a police officer were killed during the incident, and another victim suffered serious injuries.
