Trump Condemns NYC Massacre, Calls it 'Senseless'
A Blackstone New York City headquarters shooting killed four individuals, including an NYPD officer and a senior managing director. President Donald Trump, who is in Scotland, has denounced the tragedy as a "senseless act of violence" carried out by a "crazed lunatic." 27-year-old Shane Tamura ended the rampage by shooting himself.
In a memo, he asserted he had chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), reopening controversy around mental illness and violence. Trump, mourning the families of the victims, stated he believes law enforcement to determine the motive of the shooter. But while police dig, concerns mount regarding mental health services, early red flags, and what could have stopped the massacre.
President Trump retaliated from his Scottish golf club. He went to Truth Social, saying he had been informed of the "tragic shooting which occurred in Manhattan, an area I know and cherish."
"I have faith in our Law Enforcement Agencies to discover why this deranged lunatic caused such a senseless act of violence," he said.
He also released condolences. "My heart goes out to the families of the four individuals who were murdered, including the NYPD Officer, who made the ultimate sacrifice." He ended with, "God Bless the New York Police Department, and God Bless New York!"
Trump is due to travel back to Washington after completing a round on his newly opened 18-hole course in Aberdeen.
Tamura entered 345 Park Avenue with an M4 rifle and began firing. He fatally shot a woman in the lobby, then shot to death a security guard. He also killed Blackstone senior managing director Wesley LePatner, 43, and NYPD officer Didarul Islam, 36.
Islam has two sons remaining, and his wife is carrying their third child. Tamura, who had come from Las Vegas, had a prior documented history of mental illness. He was once an exemplary high school football star.
After committing suicide, Tamura left a chilling note behind. In it, he wrote: "Study my brain please I'm sorry. Tell Rick I'm sorry for everything."
The note alluded to CTE, a brain disorder commonly associated with repeated blows to the head and violent or erratic activity. The shooter also berated the NFL.
Tamura's note highlighted once again the effects of brain damage on mental illness. Professionals have long cautioned that undiagnosed CTE can lead to paranoia, depression, hostility, and suicidal behaviour.
New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said Tamura had a history of mental illness. His capacity to devise and carry out a killing spree across the country despite known problems raises tough questions.
Why didn't anyone step in? Might earlier assistance or treatment have saved lives?
The NYPD, Blackstone, and families of victims are now left to deal with the tragic consequences. But the disaster also exposes the fault lines in America's mental healthcare network, especially for retired athletes struggling with invisible wounds.
As Trump returns to Washington and inquiries unfold, the country has to come to terms with a sad fact: unresolved trauma and unchecked deterioration can culminate in disaster.
