A gunman opened fire inside a Midtown Manhattan office tower on Monday evening, killing four people — including a New York Police Department officer — before being fatally shot by law enforcement, officials said.
The incident is one of two deadly shootings in the United States within hours, with a separate attack in Nevada’s Reno city leaving three dead.
The shooting took place shortly after 6pm local time (10pm GMT) at 345 Park Avenue, a high-rise building that houses several major firms including Blackstone, KPMG, Deutsche Bank, and the headquarters of the National Football League (NFL).
Speaking at a late-night news conference, New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the suspect, identified as 27-year-old Shane Tamura from Las Vegas, exited a black BMW with an M4 rifle before entering the building.
“He walked into the lobby and immediately opened fire on a uniformed NYPD officer,” Tisch said, identifying the slain officer as 36-year-old Didarul Islam.
Officer Islam, an immigrant from Bangladesh, was reportedly stationed at the site for routine security. Mayor Eric Adams, standing alongside the police commissioner, paid tribute to the fallen officer. “Officer Islam was a father of two, with a third child on the way. He died saving lives and protecting New Yorkers,” the mayor said.
Following the initial shooting, Tamura fatally shot a female civilian and a building security guard on the ground floor before proceeding to the 33rd floor, where he killed another man, police said.
Another individual wounded in the attack is currently receiving treatment in hospital. The condition of the injured person has not yet been disclosed.
Authorities said the gunman was neutralised on the 33rd floor. Investigators are reviewing surveillance footage and conducting interviews with witnesses, while the motive remains under investigation.
The FBI and Homeland Security officials have also been briefed on the incident due to its proximity to several high-profile corporate offices.
Reno casino attack
Earlier on Monday morning, a separate mass shooting occurred in Reno, Nevada. According to local police, an unidentified adult male opened fire near the valet station of the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino shortly before 7:30am local time.
Three people were killed in the attack, and two others sustained critical injuries. Police said the suspect was seriously injured in an exchange of fire with responding officers and is currently in custody under medical care.
Authorities in Reno said the victims appeared to have been selected at random, and the motive behind the shooting remains unclear.
The two incidents, which occurred on opposite coasts within a span of 12 hours, have reignited debate over gun violence in the United States, where mass shootings have become a grimly frequent occurrence.
As investigations continue, both cities are grappling with shock and grief. Flags across New York have been ordered to fly at half-mast in honour of Officer Islam and the other victims.
