Shane Tamura, the gunman who killed four people in an NFL office shooting in New York, had ‘unambiguous diagnostic evidence’ of low-stage chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), according to the New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. The findings, released Friday, indicate that Tamura’s brain tissue showed signs of the degenerative brain disease, which is often associated with repeated head trauma. However, the medical examiner’s office stressed that while the science around CTE is advancing, it remains an area of ongoing research, and the exact role it may have played in Tamura’s actions is still undetermined. The report acknowledged that no definitive link can yet be established between CTE and the violent behavior that led to the shooting.
The NFL has issued a statement responding to the medical examiner’s findings, expressing deep grief over the loss of lives and reaffirming their commitment to safety. The organization stated that the incident was a senseless tragedy, and while they acknowledged the medical examiner’s comments about the evolving understanding of CTE, they emphasized that no justification exists for such violence. The NFL has also taken steps to enhance security at its offices, with executive vice president Jeff Miller confirming that the company is working closely with security experts to improve safety measures after the incident. The organization has stated their determination to prevent such tragedies from occurring again.
Tamura, 27, of Las Vegas, was found dead by suicide following the shooting. Police had discovered a note in his pocket that blamed the NFL for allegedly concealing the dangers of head trauma to maximize profits. The note read, ‘Study my brain please. I’m sorry.’ The medical examiner’s office previously confirmed that Tamura died by self-inflicted gunshot wound, but the role of CTE in his death or his actions was not determined at the time of the initial investigation. The report released Friday provides additional insight into the condition that may have contributed to his behavior, though no conclusive link was established.
The victims of the shooting included NYPD Officer Didarul Islam, who was off-duty and working security in the building, as well as Wesley LePatner, 43, a mother of two who was shot in the building’s lobby, real estate worker Julia Hyman, 27, and security guard Aland Etienne. An NFL employee was also shot and injured in the attack. Tamura’s actions had a profound impact on the community, especially given the presence of law enforcement and other workers in the building at the time. The incident has sparked renewed debate over the long-term effects of head injuries in sports and the potential connection between CTE and violent outbursts, though the medical community has not reached a consensus on the exact relationship between the two.
In the wake of the shooting, the NFL has vowed to increase security measures at all its offices, with Miller noting that the organization is working with experts to ensure their facilities are as secure as possible. He mentioned that their security chief, Cathy Lanier, a former police chief in Washington, D.C., has extensive experience in this area, and that they are taking additional steps to prevent such an event from occurring again. The report from the medical examiner’s office adds another layer to the discussion, highlighting the need for further research into the link between CTE and behavioral changes, even as the NFL continues to focus on improving workplace safety for its employees.