Police identified the gunman as Shane Tamura, 27, of Las Vegas who died at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
On Tuesday Mayor Eric Adams spoke on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” about a letter written by Tamura that seemed to blame Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) and the National Football League (NFL) for his actions.
According to published reports, Tamura was a standout running back in high school in the Los Angeles area but never played college or professional ball. The NFL has offices at 345 Park Avenue, but according to Adams, the gunman “entered the wrong set of elevator banks.”
As an NYPD helicopter hovered overhead and uniformed officers lined Virginia Avenue as civilians, many off-duty police officers and detectives stood behind them. Many of the residents and passersby recorded the rare scene with their cell phones.
At least two heavily armed officers stood guard in front of the mosque along Gleason Avenue, they were joined by an officer with a German Shepherd from the K-9 Unit. A contingent from the New York State Police joined fellow officers as they paid homage to the slain officer.
About a dozen or so members of the NYPD’S Highway Patrol on motorcycles led the caravan of unmarked vehicles followed by a medical truck from the NYPD’s Emergency Services Unit that carried Islam’s body to the Parkchester Jame Masjid at the corner of Gleason Avenue.
As officers on the street saluted, officers wheeling the gurney carrying the coffin that was draped with an NYPD flag, held their hands across their chests as they brought Islam into the mosque through a side entrance.
Many members of the mosque were visibly shaken as one older man used a handkerchief to wipe away the tears from his eyes. One young man put his arms around another man to console him.
As news spread of the unprecedented attack and the death of Islam, an officer at the 47th Precinct since joining the department in December, 20222, the 47th Precinct posted to Facebook, “It is with profound sorrow that the 47th Precinct mourns the loss of police officer Didarul Islam—a valued member of our command, a husband, a father, and a dedicated public servant.”
The post concluded, “Officer Islam was carrying out his duty to protect New Yorkers when his life was tragically taken. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, loved ones, and all who served alongside him. His service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.”
Later that evening Commissioner Tisch joined Mayor Adams at a multi-faith prayer vigil in honor of all the shooting victims that was held at Bryant Park in Manhattan. Plans for a second vigil for Islam at the 47th Precinct was currently underway.
According to police officials, Islam leaves behind a wife and two children and the widow is currently pregnant expecting the couple’s third child.
Meanwhile, according to Citizen’s App, police were called to Nelson Avenue and Edward L. Grant Highway in the Highbridge section sometime after 12 noon on Tuesday after a report of a man entering a building with a semi-automatic weapon or rifle. According to the app a suspect was taken into custody, but police were still searching for the weapon into the evening.
The NYPD could not immediately confirm the incident.
Anyone experiencing mental illness is urged to call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by texting 988.
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