A former high school football player, Shane Tamura, who tragically killed four individuals in a Manhattan office building housing the NFL headquarters, was determined by New York’s medical examiner to have been suffering from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease. Tamura, a 27-year-old Las Vegas casino worker, took his own life after opening fire inside the Manhattan building on July 28, resulting in the deaths of four people, including a police officer, a security guard, and two office workers.
The medical examiner’s report revealed conclusive evidence of low-stage CTE in Tamura’s brain. In a note found in his wallet, Tamura mentioned his CTE diagnosis and urged researchers to study his brain posthumously. His intended target was reportedly the NFL offices, although he mistakenly entered the wrong elevator.
One of Tamura’s grievances against the NFL was its alleged prioritization of profits over player safety by concealing the risks associated with CTE and football-related injuries. The NFL, in response to the medical examiner’s findings, emphasized the evolving nature of CTE research and its commitment to understanding the condition’s physical and mental implications.
CTE impacts brain regions that regulate behavior and emotions, with a known association with concussions and head trauma from contact sports. Despite years of denial, the NFL acknowledged the football-CTE connection in 2016 congressional testimony and has compensated retired players with over $1.4 billion in concussion-related settlements. While Tamura participated in high school football in California, he never pursued a professional career in the NFL.
Authorities noted Tamura’s history of mental health issues, citing a 2023 incident where he was arrested for trespassing at a Las Vegas casino. However, the case was later dismissed by prosecutors.