A gunman who killed four people and injured several others in a Manhattan office building left a note blaming the NFL for a brain injury he believed he had, New York officials said, linking the rampage to suspected chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

A 27-year-old gunman who killed four people, including a police officer and a private equity executive, during a rifle attack in Midtown Manhattan left behind a note blaming the National Football League for his suspected brain disease, authorities revealed on Tuesday.

The shooter, identified as Shane Tamura of Las Vegas, had a documented history of mental illness and appeared to believe he was suffering from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a brain condition linked to repeated head trauma. New York Mayor Eric Adams told CBS News that Tamura’s note referenced the NFL and claimed his football career was derailed by brain injury.

Tamura was not an NFL player but reportedly played in high school. The note, found in his wallet, accused the league of being responsible for his condition. CTE has been associated with aggression, dementia, and suicidal behaviour. The NFL has previously paid out around $1 billion in settlements over concussion-related lawsuits.

Authorities say Tamura travelled from Las Vegas to New York by car and acted alone. On Monday evening, he entered a Park Avenue skyscraper where the NFL and Blackstone have offices. Upon entering, he fatally shot NYPD officer Didarul Islam, 36, a Bangladeshi-American who had served on the force for three years.

Tamura then killed three others, including a Blackstone executive and employees of Rudin Management, a real estate firm. He bypassed the NFL offices due to using the wrong elevator bank and ultimately ended the shooting spree by turning the gun on himself on the building’s 33rd floor.

An NFL staff member was among the wounded. Commissioner Roger Goodell informed employees that security would be heightened in the coming weeks.

Police recovered an M4-style semi-automatic rifle used in the attack, as well as a revolver, prescription medication, and a backpack from Tamura’s car parked outside. A Las Vegas police-issued permit allowing Tamura to carry a concealed firearm was also found.

One victim remains hospitalised in critical condition. Authorities have not released full details about all the victims, but the motive appears tied to Tamura’s delusions about his health and blame toward the NFL.

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