Manhattan Shooting Leaves Five Dead, Including Hero NYPD Officer

A devastating mass shooting at a Manhattan office building Monday evening left five people dead, including an off-duty police officer who died trying to protect others during the attack.

The gunman, identified as 27-year-old Shane Devon Tamura of Las Vegas, opened fire inside 345 Park Avenue around 6:30 p.m., targeting the midtown skyscraper that houses major corporations, including the NFL headquarters, Blackstone, and KPMG.

Officer Didarul Islam, 36, was working security for the building when he confronted Tamura in the lobby. The Bangladeshi immigrant and father of two, with another child on the way, was killed while attempting to stop the shooter's rampage.

"Officer Islam put his life on the line to protect innocent people," said NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch during a press conference. "He died a hero."

Tamura, armed with an AR-15 style rifle, continued his attack after killing Islam, shooting at civilians taking cover behind pillars and desks in the lobby. He then moved to the 33rd floor, where he killed another person before taking his own life.

The shooting sent shockwaves through one of New York's most secure business districts. Employees barricaded themselves in conference rooms and behind furniture as the sound of gunfire echoed through the building. Emergency responders flooded the area, with helicopters circling overhead and bomb disposal teams sweeping for additional threats.

Tamura had arrived in New York City earlier that day from Las Vegas, where he worked as a security guard at a casino. Police discovered he had failed to show up for work on Sunday, raising initial concerns among his colleagues.

A former high school classmate described Tamura as the "class clown" and "biggest goofball," expressing shock at the violence. "You never would have thought violence was something you'd associate with him," Caleb Clarke told NBC News. "Everything he said was a joke."

Despite characterisation, authorities revealed Tamura had a documented history of mental health issues. Police found his vehicle with Nevada plates containing additional weapons, ammunition, and prescription medication, suggesting the attack was premeditated.

The tragic incident has raised serious questions about security protocols in high-profile office buildings. How an armed individual managed to enter such a secure facility with a rifle has prompted calls for enhanced screening measures across the city's corporate centres.

Officer Islam's death particularly resonated throughout the city. Mayor Eric Adams praised the fallen officer's sacrifice, noting how Islam had immigrated from Bangladesh seeking a better life for his family. His widow is expecting their third child.

The FBI continues investigating Tamura's motives and movements leading up to the attack. The shooting represents one of the most serious security breaches in Manhattan's business district in recent memory.

As the investigation unfolds, the city mourns the victims while grappling with uncomfortable questions about preventing such tragedies in spaces once considered among the safest in New York.

The building remained closed on Tuesday as authorities processed the crime scene and counsellors were made available for traumatised employees and witnesses.