Manhattan Shooting Survivor Recalls Terrifying Encounter

A worker in Manhattan shared her chilling experience after a shooting incident at an office building. Sevier Nerovich, a cleaning staff member, described her encounter with the gunman, Shane Tamura, as horrifying. She mentioned feeling immense fear and said, “I was so scared,” hiding in her closet for hours until the police arrived.

Nerovich recounted how Tamura exited the elevator, aimed his rifle at her, and burst through the glass reception door on the 33rd floor of 345 Park Avenue. “He started shooting around me. I raised my hands and shouted that I was a cleaning lady,” she said in a union-released statement. “But then it hit me—he has a machine gun. He doesn’t care who I am; he could shoot me regardless.”

At 65 years old, she ran down the hall and locked herself in a closet. “I’ve begun to pray,” she later recalled. The shooter even fired at the closet door, intensifying her fear, but she remained quiet, fearing any noise might draw attention.

During the chaos, Nerovich believed her colleague, Julia Heyman, was at her desk and prayed for her safety. She also noted that her supervisor had been trying to reach her to check on her well-being. “I told him I was in the closet,” she added. “He told me to stay there.” She silenced her phone, sitting still for what felt like two to three hours, praying as she waited.

The rampage ended when Tamura shifted his attention elsewhere, allowing Nerovich to leave the building after police arrived. Speaking about fellow victims, she expressed sorrow for any loss, particularly mentioning, “She was very kind,” referring to Heyman. Nerovich stated she wouldn’t be returning to 345 Park Avenue, saying, “I’m scared to go there,” and added, “God will help me.”