New York City: A gunman wielding an assault-style rifle has stormed a skyscraper in the heart of New York, killing four people before shooting himself dead. The attacker, 27-year-old Shane Tamura of Las Vegas, walked into an office block on Manhattan's Park Avenue on Monday evening and opened fire in the lobby before taking a lift to the 33rd floor to continue his spree. Four people were killed, including New York City police officer Didarul Islam, 36, who was working security at the time. The three other victims have yet to be identified.
According to BBC, New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch stated that the suspect appeared to have acted alone. During a press conference, she mentioned that a fifth victim was shot and was in "critical but stable condition." Officer Didarul Islam, a Bangladeshi immigrant and father of two with a third child on the way, had served in the New York Police Department for three and a half years. Local officials and authorities celebrated Islam, acknowledging his actions as heroic. Tisch emphasized, "He was doing the job that we asked him to do. He made the ultimate sacrifice."
After shooting Islam as he entered the building, Tamura aimed at a woman who took cover behind a pillar. He continued through the lobby, firing at multiple people, including a security guard and another nearby individual. As he waited for an elevator, a woman exited, but the gunman spared her and allowed her to pass. Tamura proceeded to the 33rd floor, where he killed one person before walking down a hallway and shooting himself in the chest.
Police searched Tamura's vehicle, finding multiple magazine rounds and a revolver. The vehicle, registered in Nevada to Tamura, indicated his status as a registered gun owner in the state. The incident brought parts of Midtown Manhattan and public transportation to a halt. A BBC journalist at the scene reported seeing numerous police vehicles and at least one person with a bloodied chest being taken away on a stretcher. Bystanders reported hearing gunshots, and police advised those in the area, including the BBC journalist, to shelter in nearby buildings.
Police worked meticulously to clear the building floor-by-floor, a process that took several hours. Mama Bouhenni, working at the nearby Sip and Scoop coffee shop during the incident, witnessed dozens of people from surrounding buildings being evacuated with their hands above their heads. Bouhenni recognized many of them as customers and expressed her concern, stating, "This is so terrifying for them, I hope they can go home safe."