In a nearly unbelievable event, former NFL employee Tamura went on a personal crusade to the top of the NFL’s main office located in New York City’s Time Warner Center. Unfortunately he managed to murder four individuals before turning the weapon on himself. The events surrounding the wreck have left the sports world reeling. It has courageously prompted a national dialogue on gun safety and mental health that we are long overdue for.
Tamura, who is originally from Southern California, has allegedly built the rifle used in the attack using different parts. Authorities confirmed that he had obtained a permit to carry a concealed weapon. On November 1, he used that same permit to buy yet another firearm—a revolver. This frightening chain of events has led authorities to investigate Tamura’s extensive history to look for clues.
This distinct attack came just days after Tamura made the journey by automobile from his home in Las Vegas, Nevada to Midtown Manhattan. At the time of the incident, he was employed in an armed security capacity at one of the Las Vegas casinos. He worked in the surveillance division. Strong contacts as well—his father’s NFL connections ran deep—yet he never stepped foot on the professional gridiron. As it turned out, he excelled as a difference-making running back throughout his prep career.
Tragically, a fifth person, another NFL employee, was hurt in the shooting. Eyewitness accounts paint a terrifying picture as Tamura started shooting randomly inside the complex. That swift law enforcement response saved countless lives, but not before the attack caused unspeakable loss.
One of the mentors from Tamura’s youth, Walter Roby, had this to say about Tamura’s character.
“He was a quiet dude, soft-spoken, humble and led by his work ethic more than anything else,” – Walter Roby
This viewpoint could not be more different from the bloodshed that occurred. Law enforcement officials are looking into Tamura’s paper trial of mental health issues, which could have played a crucial role in his outburst. According to eyewitness accounts, he had recently been arrested for disruptive conduct at a different casino.
Tamura previously had a state-issued private security officer’s license, but it expired in December. Despite those hurdles, she did eventually obtain a new security guard’s license. This begs the question of regulatory safeguards applied to those with mental health difficulties who wish to apply for work in security positions.
The consequences of an event like this go far beyond the direct victims and their families. It has sparked discussions about gun control regulations and mental health support within both the sports industry and society at large. The NFL community continues to mourn this tragic loss and to remind us all of the need for greater awareness around mental health issues.