❓WHAT HAPPENED: The New York City Officer of the Chief Medical Examiner has posthumously diagnosed 27-year-old Shane Devon Tamura with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Shane Devon Tamura, the National Football League (NFL), and victims: NYPD officer Didarul Islam, Blackstone executive Wesley LePatner, security guard Aland Etienne, and Rudin firm employee Julia Hyman.
📍WHEN & WHERE: The medical examiner’s diagnosis was released on Friday, September 26, 2025.
💬KEY QUOTE: The New York City medical examiner’s office states it found “unambiguous evidence” of CTE after examining Tamura’s brain tissue, which he had requested be studied in his suicide declaration.
🎯IMPACT: The New York City medical examiner’s findings from examining Tamura’s brain tissue could prove crucial in shedding further light on CTE and how sports like football and soccer can impact the human brain.
The New York City Officer of the Chief Medical Examiner has posthumously diagnosed 27-year-old Shane Devon Tamura with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). In late July, Tamura opened fire at a New York City office building where the National Football League (NFL) headquarters was located, killing four individuals, including a New York City Police Department (NYPD) officer, with Tamura subsequently committing suicide.
Despite intending to target the NFL, Tamura went to the wrong floor of the building, killing people unconnected to the professional football league. The National Pulse reported at the time that Tamura played high school football in the California area and had in his possession a short declaration naming the NFL as his target and blaming the organization for a brain injury and subsequent mental illness. There are no records of Tamura ever having played in the NFL.
The New York City medical examiner’s office states it found “unambiguous evidence” of CTE after examining Tamura’s brain tissue, which he had requested be studied in his suicide declaration. According to the medical examiner’s findings, the 27-year-old suffered from “low-stage CTE,” which can only be authoritatively diagnosed post-mortem.
After playing high school football, Tamura began suffering from mental illness. However, prior medical records suggest he had not suffered any head injuries while playing football. The New York City medical examiner’s findings could prove crucial in shedding further light on CTE and how sports like football and soccer can impact the human brain. While most studies have focused on the impact of concussions as a cause of CTE, some medical professionals believe that less severe but more frequent blows to the skull—not resulting in a concussion—are a more likely cause.
NYPD officer Didarul Islam, Blackstone executive Wesley LePatner, security guard Aland Etienne, and Rudin firm employee Julia Hyman were killed in Tamura’s attack.
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