Disturbing images have emerged showing the assault rifle used by Shane Tamura during a deadly attack in a midtown skyscraper on Monday night. This weapon, a Palmetto State Armory M4, was responsible for the death of an NYPD officer and four civilians.
Retailing at about $500, the AR-style rifle came outfitted with a high-capacity magazine.
Timeline of the Attack in Midtown NYC
- Reports of gunfire started to come in around 6:28 PM at 345 Park Avenue.
- Shane Tamura, 27, was captured in surveillance breaking free from a double-parked black BMW between 51st and 52nd Avenues, armed with an M4 rifle.
- Upon entering the lobby, he immediately shot Police Officer Didarul Islam, 36.
- He then shot at a woman who was trying to hide behind a pillar.
- Another victim was injured in the lobby and is now reported as critical but stable.
- Interestingly, he let the woman exit an elevator unharmed, before heading to the 33rd floor where offices of Rudyn Properties are located, saying, “And then start on the floor and fire on your trip.”
- A man was fatally shot on that floor.
- His rampage culminated when he shot himself in the chest.
- It’s unclear how long the chaos lasted; according to a tweet from Tisch, by 7:52 PM, “The scene was contained and the only shooter neutralized.”
Images indicate that the rifle, with a green handguard, was left bloodied on the carpet of an office on the 33rd floor, following the rush-hour shooting.
Commissioner Jessica Tisch mentioned during a press conference that the NYPD discovered loaded revolvers, ammunition, and rifle cases in the black BMW where Tamura was parked. A backpack and prescribed medication were also found in the vehicle registered to him in Nevada.
A concealed carry permit, issued in July 2022, was located at the scene, showing Tamura’s name and photo.
Witnesses described the rapid succession of shots fired as sounding like an automatic weapon.
Recent Updates on the NYC Shooting:
After targeting multiple people in the lobby, Tamura, who was working as a paid security detail, tragically shot officer Didarul Islam, stationed near the elevators. Women exiting the elevators were allowed to leave without harm.
He went on to kill another individual on the 33rd floor, which houses offices for major companies like Blackstone and the NFL.
