Football player shoots up NFL HQ
https://www.newsweek.com/shane-devon-tamura-suicide-note-cte-new-york-shooting-2105492Shane Devon Tamura's Suicide Note Says He Had CTE, Calls Out NFL—Report
The gunman who opened fire inside a New York City skyscraper that is home to the NFL's headquarters on Monday reportedly left a suicide note saying he suffered from Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and wanted his brain to be studied.
The Context
The shooting took place in a Manhattan skyscraper where the headquarters of both the NFL and Blackstone, one of the world's largest investment firms, are located.
Authorities said the gunman, identified as 27-year-old Shane Devon Tamura of Las Vegas, killed four people, including New York City police officer Didarul Islam, and wounded a fifth. The gunman died by suicide, officials said.
What To Know
A suicide note was discovered in the suspect's back pocket that said he suffered from CTE, CNN reported, citing an unnamed source with knowledge of the investigation.
The degenerative brain disease has been linked to repeated trauma to the head, including concussions, common in contact sports like football. Symptoms can be used to diagnose suspected CTE in the living, but can only be confirmed through a post-mortem examination of the brain because it requires examination of brain tissue.
Football "gave me CTE and it caused me to drink a gallon of antifreeze," the note read, according to CNN. "You can't go against the NFL, they'll squash you."
The note also asked for the suspect's brain to be studied, according to CNN, which said Tamura was a competitive football player in his youth.
Newsweek has contacted the NFL for further comment via emails sent outside regular business hours.
In a message to employees and provided to Newsweek early on Tuesday, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the gunman committed "an unspeakable act of violence in our building."
