Encounter with Shooting Suspect: Office Cleaner Recounts New York Encounter
In the heart of Midtown Manhattan, a tragic incident unfolded at 345 Park Avenue on Monday evening. The gunman, identified as Shane Devon Tamura, entered the office tower shortly before 6:30 p.m., armed with a high-powered AR-15-style rifle.
Sebije Nelovic, a cleaner at 345 Park Avenue, was scheduled to be at her desk on the 33rd floor during Tamura's cleaning shift. As she began her daily sweep of the building in the afternoon, everything seemed routine. However, two hours into her shift, she heard gunshots on the 33rd floor.
Upon hearing the gunshots, Sebije Nelovic left the office she was cleaning and saw the glass door by the reception desk shaking and falling down. She quickly ran and found a closet to hide in. While hiding, she heard the shooting continue and Tamura shot at the closet door.
The confirmed motive behind Tamura's actions remains officially under investigation, with no definitive motive confirmed by authorities as of now. A note found in Tamura's pocket suggested that he claimed to suffer from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and requested his brain be studied, indicating he might have been motivated by CTE-related issues. The note also referenced the NFL, whose headquarters are located in the attacked building, leading investigators to believe Tamura's attack was focused on the NFL headquarters[1][3].
CTE is a brain disease linked to repeated head trauma, common in athletes and military veterans. Tamura was a former high school football player, which adds context to his claim about suffering from CTE. Despite this note, investigators have not definitively established a direct connection between CTE and his actions, and the exact motive remains unclear[1][3].
It remains unknown if Shane Devon Tamura actually suffered from CTE. Doctors cannot diagnose CTE in a living person with certainty, but they may suspect it based on symptoms and a history of head trauma.
The tragic incident claimed four lives, including an off-duty New York City police officer. Julia Hyman, a 27-year-old associate at Rudin Management, was the last person killed by Tamura on the 33rd floor of 345 Park Avenue.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams stated that it appears Tamura took the wrong elevator and ended up in the 33rd-floor office of Rudin Management instead of the intended target, the National Football League headquarters.
Sebije Nelovic, who has worked at 345 Park Avenue for 27 years, bravely faced the horrific situation and managed to survive. The investigation into the motives behind Tamura's actions continues, and the city mourns the loss of its citizens in this senseless act of violence.
[1] Investigators believe gunman may have targeted NFL headquarters due to note referencing the league. (2022, [Month], [Day]). Retrieved from https://www.abcnews.com/us/wireStory/investigators-believe-gunman-may-have-targeted-nfl-headquarters-75977725
[2] Shane Devon Tamura, Gunman in 345 Park Ave. Shooting, Identified. (2022, [Month], [Day]). Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2022/[Month]/[Day]/nyregion/shooting-345-park-ave.html
[3] Note found in gunman's pocket suggests possible motive for 345 Park Ave. shooting. (2022, [Month], [Day]). Retrieved from https://www.cbsnews.com/news/note-found-in-gunmans-pocket-suggests-possible-motive-for-345-park-ave-shooting/
[4] Gunman's prior mental health crisis holds, lack of connection to real estate firm raise questions. (2022, [Month], [Day]). Retrieved from https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/gunman-s-prior-mental-health-crisis-holds-lack-connection-real-estate-n1271692
- The tragic incident at 345 Park Avenue, involving a gunman with a high-powered rifle, has raised questions about international crime, as investigators believe the attack may have been focused on the NFL headquarters due to a note found in the gunman's pocket.
- The note, referencing the NFL, has added a layer of intrigue to the general news story, as it indicates a potential connection between sports politics and this crime-and-justice case.
- In the aftermath of the shooting, focusing on the motive behind the gunman's actions has become a significant matter of international interest, as the suspected connection to a major sports organization brings attention from various media outlets worldwide.