High school football star turns tragedy: New York gunman, prior to violence, was recognized for his prowess in football, referencing CTE in his actions
Manhattan Shooting Suspect Shane Tamura: A Former High School Football Star with a Questionable CTE Claim
Shane Tamura, the gunman in a deadly shooting in Midtown Manhattan, was once a celebrated high school football star in the Los Angeles area. His coach, Dan Kelley, considered him the most athletically gifted player he had ever seen, referring to him as "lightning in a bottle."
However, the connection between Tamura's alleged brain disease and the attack is based solely on his own claim in a note and his targeting of the NFL offices, which he blamed for the brain disease. There is no official medical confirmation of CTE in Tamura at this time.
Tamura drove his BMW across the country from Las Vegas and double parked it in front of the Park Avenue office building before the shooting. According to his note, he believed he had CTE, a brain disease linked to repeated head injuries common in contact sports like football. However, it is currently unknown whether Tamura actually had CTE, as it can only be diagnosed post-mortem through brain tissue analysis, which takes weeks.
In his note, Tamura expressed grievances with the NFL, blaming the league for his brain injuries and stating he wanted his brain donated for scientific study. It is not confirmed that Tamura had CTE, but his actions suggest a possible link.
Tamura had a documented history of mental illness, which adds complexity to understanding his motivations and condition. Court records show that he was charged with misdemeanor trespassing in 2023 in Clark County, Nevada.
As a high school player, Tamura was a standout athlete. He transferred to Granada Hills Charter School in 2015 for his senior year of high school and accounted for more than half of the team's touchdowns over roughly the first month of the 2014 season. Walter Roby, his coach at Granada Hills, considered Tamura his best running back at the time.
Tamura worked as a surveillance department employee at Horseshoe Las Vegas. In a 2015 YouTube video, he expressed the importance of discipline, teamwork, and perseverance in football. He was warm, soft-spoken, hard-working, and led by example, according to coach Walter Roby.
It's not clear whether Tamura played football after high school or was ever diagnosed with any brain injuries connected to his athletic career. Another friend and former teammate stated that Tamura never mentioned a head injury or any kind of mental illness.
Tamura's older brother Terry also played football. Terry Long, a former NFL player, was diagnosed with CTE and died by suicide after drinking antifreeze in 2005.
The investigation and brain testing following Tamura's death are ongoing but may take weeks before any conclusion can be drawn. The tragic events have raised questions about the long-term effects of head injuries in contact sports and the responsibility of sports leagues in protecting their players.
- Shane Tamura's claim of having CTE, a brain disease linked to repeated head injuries in contact sports, remains unconfirmed as it can only be diagnosed post-mortem.
- Shane Tamura, during his high school football career at Granada Hills Charter School, accounted for more than half of the team's touchdowns.
- In his note, Shane Tamura blamed the NFL for his alleged brain injuries and expressed a desire for his brain to be donated for scientific study.
- Shane Tamura's actions, blaming the NFL and wanting his brain studied, suggest a possible link to CTE, despite no official medical confirmation at this time.
- Shane Tamura's older brother Terry, a former NFL player, was diagnosed with CTE and died by suicide in 2005.
