Las Vegas, Jul 30 (AP) The individual who attacked a Manhattan office tower with a firearm, resulting in the deaths of four individuals before ending his own life, was employed in the surveillance department of a Las Vegas casino. The incident raises concerns in an industry focused on preemptively identifying threats.
Shane Tamura, aged 27, deviated from his usual Sunday work schedule at Horseshoe Las Vegas. Instead, law enforcement officials report that he embarked on a cross-country journey, culminating in a mass shooting inside the skyscraper housing the National Football League's headquarters. A fifth person, an NFL employee, sustained injuries in the Monday assault.
As investigators delve into determining a motive, questions arise as to how someone with a known history of mental health issues and a recent arrest for erratic behavior at another casino secured a position in one of Las Vegas's most security-sensitive roles.
Caesars Entertainment, the owner of the Horseshoe, confirmed Tamura's employment status but has not yet detailed his role or clarified whether he was permitted to carry a firearm. Inquiries about whether Tamura's position necessitated a valid work card from Nevada's Private Investigator's Licensing Board remain unanswered, although such credentials are generally required for private security officers in the state.
State licensing records show Tamura previously held a state-issued private security officer's license, which expired in December. During the period when he retained that license, Tamura faced arrest at a suburban Las Vegas casino. The September 2023 incident report states he was asked to leave after an altercation with casino security and employees requesting his identification, leading to a misdemeanor trespassing charge. The case was later dismissed by prosecutors.
A note left by Tamura claimed he suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a progressive brain disease associated with repeated head trauma. While police have disclosed his history of mental illness, they have not offered additional specifics about his psychiatric background.
Officials revealed his intention was to target NFL offices, which he accused of obscuring the risks of brain injuries related to contact sports; however, he mistakenly took the wrong elevator.
Efforts to contact Tamura's family for comments have been unsuccessful, with no response at their Las Vegas residence on Monday.
Although Tamura never pursued professional football, he was recognized as an exceptional high school running back in Southern California, where he was born. Local news at the time praised his athletic performance. Walter Roby, one of Tamura's former coaches, recalled an ankle injury as his most significant on-field affliction and described Tamura as a quiet, humble individual who demonstrated leadership through hard work.
While fellow alumni appeared shocked by the recent events, several had lost touch with him, and others were unfamiliar with his presence despite attending the same Golden Valley High School, which accommodates more than 2,000 students.
Neighbors in Las Vegas also struggled to recognize Tamura from news photos. Wendy Malnak, a nearby resident, described Tamura and his family as inconspicuous within the community, noting their absence from neighborhood interactions until police activity on Monday.
Las Vegas authorities expressed ongoing cooperation with the NYPD's investigation while maintaining confidentiality about the police presence at Tamura's residence. New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch noted the dispatch of two detective groups to Las Vegas to conduct interviews and search the premises.
An acquaintance of Tamura, who facilitated the acquisition of an AR-15-style rifle component, was questioned. Commissioner Tisch also stated Tamura had "assembled" the firearm and, using his concealed carry permit, purchased another gun, a revolver, the prior month.
"This is part of a larger effort to trace Mr. Tamura's steps from Las Vegas to New York City," Tisch explained. (AP) NSA NSA
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