Shane Tamura once dreamed of the NFL; could that have played a role in the NYC shooting? Online theories emerge

Shane D. Tamura, identified as the gunman in Monday’s fatal Midtown Manhattan shooting, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound on the 33rd floor of 345 Park Avenue, a high-rise building housing major corporate offices, including the NFL headquarters.

Tamura opened fire shortly before 6:30 p.m. on Monday, fatally shooting one NYPD officer (who later died) and killing at least three civilians before his death. Surveillance footage showed him carrying a long rifle into the building.

Also Read: What we know about Shane Tamura, the alleged gunman now dead in NYC shooting



Authorities confirmed that the suspect acted alone. The NYPD bomb squad and FBI were also deployed to the scene as a precaution.

Before the tragic turn of events, Tamura had once stood out on the football field with dreams of making it big.

A promising football talent

Tamura, a Las Vegas native, was a former standout high school football player in California. He began his football journey at Golden Valley High School and later played for Granada Hills Charter High School.

According to MaxPreps, during the 2015 season at Granada Hills, Tamura wore jersey #2 and served as both a running back and defensive back. He rushed for 616 yards on 126 carries, averaging 4.9 yards per carry and scoring 5 touchdowns. His performances on special teams also earned him regional attention. He was 5.7 and 140 lbs.

His high school performance paints a picture of a dedicated athlete with high aspirations.

In a resurfaced video posted by the X account Bay Area Super Fans, Tamura is interviewed after leading Granada Hills to a dramatic 35–31 victory over Kennedy High. Reflecting on the comeback win, he said the importance of discipline and team spirit:

Watch:



“We were down 10–0... our coach kept telling us, don’t hold your heads down... we just had to stay disciplined and come together as a team.”

He also vividly recalled his late-game touchdown on a jailbreak screen play: “Ernie threw the pass to me… one thing led to another, and I scored.”

The video provides a haunting contrast to the man now at the center of a deadly mass shooting investigation. However, there are no confirmed reports that it was he in the video.

Unconfirmed motive, speculated NFL frustration

While the motive remains unclear, internet sleuths speculate that Tamura, who possibly harbored dreams of playing in the NFL, may have been frustrated by his inability to break into the professional league.



The shooter stormed the skyscraper, home to the NFL’s New York headquarters, armed with a .223-caliber AR-15-style rifle and wearing body armor.

However, law enforcement has not confirmed motive, and no concrete evidence links Tamura’s athletic history to the shooting itself.