The harrowing scene erupted around 6:30 PM ET, prompting immediate police warnings of an active shooter situation. Office workers scrambled for safety, barricading themselves with furniture as gunfire resounded from the lobby to an upper floor. Officer Didarul Islam, who was providing security at the building, was tragically fatally shot first. Three other victims remain unidentified at this time.
Commissioner Jessica Tisch of the NYPD reported that Tamura, who had traveled from Las Vegas, began shooting shortly after entering the lobby. Eyewitness accounts highlight the chaos, with people hiding behind pillars and desks, some even escaping narrowly as Tamura spared a woman exiting an elevator. After a rampage on the 33rd floor, he took his own life.
While the motivation behind the attack remains unclear, authorities noted Tamura's history of mental health difficulties. His journey to New York involved stops in several states, but no connections to the local community have been established. Investigations uncovered a BMW registered in his name, containing weapons and ammunition.
Officer Islam, an immigrant from Bangladesh, had served three years with the NYPD. He leaves behind a pregnant wife and two children. Commissioner Tisch praised Islam's courageous actions, stating he "died as he lived - a hero."
The shooting caused significant disruption in Midtown, with public transportation halted and numerous police vehicles responding to the emergency. Bystanders described the harrowing experience, expressing hope for the safe return of those forced to evacuate. The police operation lasted several hours as they carefully cleared the building floor-by-floor.
The incident adds to the ongoing concerns surrounding gun violence across the United States, echoing calls for stricter gun control measures.
The community is mourning not just the loss of life, but the heroism displayed by Officer Islam during this tragic event, as the city reels from the fallout of this senseless violence.
Commissioner Jessica Tisch of the NYPD reported that Tamura, who had traveled from Las Vegas, began shooting shortly after entering the lobby. Eyewitness accounts highlight the chaos, with people hiding behind pillars and desks, some even escaping narrowly as Tamura spared a woman exiting an elevator. After a rampage on the 33rd floor, he took his own life.
While the motivation behind the attack remains unclear, authorities noted Tamura's history of mental health difficulties. His journey to New York involved stops in several states, but no connections to the local community have been established. Investigations uncovered a BMW registered in his name, containing weapons and ammunition.
Officer Islam, an immigrant from Bangladesh, had served three years with the NYPD. He leaves behind a pregnant wife and two children. Commissioner Tisch praised Islam's courageous actions, stating he "died as he lived - a hero."
The shooting caused significant disruption in Midtown, with public transportation halted and numerous police vehicles responding to the emergency. Bystanders described the harrowing experience, expressing hope for the safe return of those forced to evacuate. The police operation lasted several hours as they carefully cleared the building floor-by-floor.
The incident adds to the ongoing concerns surrounding gun violence across the United States, echoing calls for stricter gun control measures.
The community is mourning not just the loss of life, but the heroism displayed by Officer Islam during this tragic event, as the city reels from the fallout of this senseless violence.
