Gunman kills four including police officer at New York skyscraper - as suspect named

A gunman has killed four people including a police officer in a shooting at a New York skyscraper.

The lone attacker died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest after killing the officer and three civilians, officials said.

The suspect was identified as a 27-year-old man from Las Vegas called Shane Devon Tamura, New York police commissioner Jessica Tisch said at a news briefing.

She added that Tamura had a "documented mental health history" but his motive was unknown.

As well as those killed, a man was seriously wounded and remains in a critical condition, police said.

The police officer who was killed has been named as Didarul Islam.

Ms Tisch said at the briefing that he was married with two young boys and his wife is pregnant with their third child.

The New York Police Department (NYPD) paid tribute to him on X, writing: "He was protecting New Yorkers from danger when his life was tragically cut short today.

"We join in prayer during this time of incomprehensible pain. We will forever honour his legacy."

The shooting happened at 345 Park Avenue - a skyscraper in Midtown Manhattan which houses both the headquarters of the investment firm Blackstone and the National Football League (NFL).

It also houses offices belonging to KPMG, as well as the consulate general of Ireland and a Bank of America branch.

Sky News' US partner network NBC reports that according to officials familiar with the investigation, a note was found at the scene in which the suspect expressed anger at his mental illness potentially being linked to him having played football.

Investigators are looking into whether that was his reason for targeting the Park Avenue building which housed the NFL offices.

In the note, the suspect wonders whether chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) could have been the possible cause of his mental illness, according to two officials familiar with the matter.

How did the attack unfold?

Ms Tisch said surveillance footage showed Tamura getting out of a black BMW before walking towards the building while carrying an M4 rifle.

She said the footage showed him enter the building's lobby before turning right and opening fire on the police officer.

"He then shoots a woman who took cover behind a pillar and proceeds through the lobby, spraying it with gunfire," she added.

"He makes his way to the elevator bank where he shoots a security guard who was taking cover behind a security desk."

Ms Tisch said Tamura then called for a lift which opened in the lobby.

"A female exits that elevator and he allows her to walk past him unharmed," she added.

"He goes up to the 33rd floor... and begins to walk the floor firing rounds as he travelled. One person was struck and killed on that floor," she continued.

Ms Tisch said Tamura then fatally shot himself in the chest.

She added that medication prescribed to Tamura was later found in the BMW he had been driving.

'Pure evil came to the heart of our city'

In a tribute to Mr Islam, Patrick Hendry, president of the Police Benevolent Association (PBA) union in New York, said at the briefing: "Pure evil came to the heart of our city and struck innocent people - and one of our police officers who was protecting those people... our hero brother who gave his life for this city."

Nekeisha Lewis, who was eating dinner in the plaza of the building at the time of the shooting, said: "We heard the shots, I looked up and I saw the first wall of the first floor shatter.

"I realised 'oh my God' this is a shootout, it felt like you were in a war zone almost. I saw a worker run out, he was running so frantically I thought he was just trying to get away.

"By the time he got to us he said 'help, help, I've been shot'. I turned to my left and looked at him and saw he had a wound in his back..."

She added that the police then took over and helped the man get treatment.

The NYPD had urged people to avoid the vicinity of East 52 Street between Park Avenue and Lexington Avenue as they searched for the suspect.

It came as Dan Bongino, deputy director of the FBI, said its agents were "responding to provide support at the active crime scene in Manhattan".

Ms Tisch later wrote on X: "UPDATE: At this time, the scene has been contained and the lone shooter has been neutralized."

The Fire Department of New York said emergency crews were called to the Park Avenue office building on Monday evening following a report of someone being shot.

A spokesperson said the call came in at around 6.30pm local time (11.30pm UK time).

New York City Mayor Eric Adams earlier wrote on X: "New Yorkers: there is an active shooter investigation taking place in Midtown right now. Please take proper safety precautions if you are in vicinity and do not go outside if you are near Park Avenue and East 51st Street."

(c) Sky News 2025: Gunman kills four including police officer at New York skyscraper - as suspect named