Tragedy Hits Manhattan as Police Officer Among Four Dead in Midtown Office Shooting

Published: 29 July ‘2025 | The English Chronicle Online

A horrifying shooting at a Midtown Manhattan high-rise has left four people dead, including a New York City police officer, in an act of violence that has shaken the heart of America’s most populous city. The chaos unfolded Monday evening at 345 Park Avenue, a location home to prominent businesses such as the National Football League (NFL) and Blackstone investment firm. The attacker, armed with a military-style MR rifle, entered the building and began firing indiscriminately before eventually turning the weapon on himself.

The gunman, identified by police as 27-year-old Shane Devon Tamura, had traveled from Las Vegas to New York, making stops across several states including Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, and New Jersey. His motives remain unclear, though officials confirmed he had a documented history of mental illness. What triggered the rampage remains a central question for investigators.

The violence began when Tamura approached the building just before 6:30 p.m., rifle in full view, and entered the lobby. Without hesitation, he opened fire. Officer Didarul Islam, a three-year veteran of the NYPD assigned to security duty at the time, was the first to fall. Witnesses say the gunman then advanced through the lobby, shooting at those in sight. A woman hiding behind a pillar, another man nearby, and a security guard seeking cover behind a desk were among the victims. In a moment of chilling contrast, Tamura reportedly spared a woman exiting an elevator, allowing her to walk past him unharmed.

After the lobby attack, the gunman ascended to the 33rd floor, where Ruden Building Management is located. There, he shot and killed another person before proceeding down the hallway and fatally shooting himself in the chest. Authorities later discovered Tamura’s double-parked BMW outside the building, where additional rounds of ammunition and a revolver were found. The vehicle was registered to him in Nevada, where he was a licensed gun owner.

As panic erupted, pedestrians fled the area and bystanders scrambled for cover. Those inside the building, many of whom had no time to escape, barricaded themselves in offices, stacking chairs and couches against doors in a desperate effort to remain safe. The NYPD launched a floor-by-floor search that took several hours to complete, bringing much of Midtown and parts of the city’s transit system to a standstill.

The loss of Officer Didarul Islam has cast a deep shadow over the NYPD. An immigrant from Bangladesh, Officer Islam is remembered as a devoted father of two with a third child on the way. He gave his life protecting others in the line of duty. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch praised his courage and sacrifice, stating, “He died as he lived — a hero. He was doing the job we asked him to do. He made the ultimate sacrifice.”

City officials, community leaders, and residents have expressed shock and sorrow in the aftermath of the tragedy. Tributes have poured in for Officer Islam, with many acknowledging his bravery and dedication to public safety. At the scene, dozens of heavily armed officers, ambulances, and emergency crews created an atmosphere of intense urgency. A BBC reporter on site described seeing one person with a bloodied chest being taken away on a stretcher, and people in surrounding buildings were ordered to shelter in place.

Mama Bouhenni, who was working in a nearby coffee shop when the shooting began, said she witnessed evacuations as terrified workers fled nearby offices, their hands raised above their heads. “This is so terrifying for them,” she said. “I hope they can go home safe.”

As investigators continue to search for answers and survivors mourn their loved ones, the city of New York is once again forced to grapple with the haunting reality of gun violence within its streets and workplaces. The legacy of those lost—especially a police officer who died in defense of others—will endure as a solemn reminder of both the dangers faced by those in uniform and the fragility of public peace.