In a tragic turn of events, five people lost their lives in a mass shooting that shook Midtown Manhattan, New York City, on Monday evening, July 28. Among the deceased were a New York Police Department (NYPD) officer of Bangladeshi origin and the suspected gunman himself.
The incident unfolded around 6 PM local time at 345 Park Avenue. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch confirmed that the situation is still under investigation.
At a late-night press conference, Commissioner Tisch detailed what security camera footage had revealed: a black BMW was seen double-parked between 51st and 52nd Streets. From it, a man exited with an M4 rifle in his right hand. He entered the lobby of a building, looked around, and without warning, opened fire on an on-duty NYPD officer.
Before heading to the 33rd floor, the gunman fatally shot two people on the ground level- one a woman, the other a building security officer. He then moved upstairs and killed another man. One person remains hospitalized with injuries.
The shooter has been identified as 27-year-old Shane Tamura, reportedly from Las Vegas. As of now, authorities have not yet confirmed his motive.
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One of the most heartbreaking parts of this tragedy is the loss of Officer Didarul Islam a Bangladeshi-American who had served in the NYPD for over three years. Commissioner Tisch confirmed that Islam had immigrated from Bangladesh. New York City Mayor Eric Adams referred to him simply and respectfully as “Officer Islam.”
Officer Islam was married, a father of two, and his wife is currently expecting their third child. His death has sent ripples of sorrow through both the NYPD and the Bangladeshi-American community.
A female eyewitness, speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity, said, “It happened inside an office building. I was right nearby. He [the gunman] was going from floor to floor.”
Other witnesses confirmed that the incident occurred inside an office space belonging to investment firm Blackstone Investment Company.
As investigators continue to piece together the shooter’s background and motive, the city mourns the lives lost especially that of Officer Islam, who gave his life in the line of duty while protecting others in his adopted homeland.
