The man accused of shooting five people before killing himself at a New York City office building last week had a documented history of mental health struggles and police encounters in Las Vegas in recent years.
According to records released by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Shane Devon Tamura, the 39-year-old shooter, was the subject of two emergency mental health interventions — once in 2022 and again in 2024. In both cases, officers filed paperwork for his admission to a mental health facility following suicidal threats.
In the 2022 incident, Tamura told police he was feeling suicidal and possessed a firearm, though it wasn’t present at the time of contact. A 911 call from his mother revealed her fear for his safety, citing his history of depression, sports-related concussions, migraines, and insomnia. She also said Tamura used marijuana and was under a doctor’s care.
A suicide note found in Tamura’s pocket after the NYC shooting reportedly requested his brain be studied for CTE, a neurological condition linked to repeated head trauma. Tamura had played high school football, and investigators believe he may have been targeting the NFL, whose offices were located in the building where the shooting occurred.
In the second intervention in August 2024, Tamura again expressed suicidal thoughts. Bodycam footage released by LVMPD shows him cooperating with medical staff and officers, calmly informing police where his gun was located.
In addition to the mental health calls, Tamura had a 2023 arrest for trespassing at a Las Vegas casino. Bodycam video shows him refusing to provide identification while attempting to collect gambling winnings. He expressed concern about his finances, telling officers he needed the money to pay rent.
The investigation into the shooting remains ongoing.