Immigrant NYPD Officer and Father-to-Be Killed in Midtown Attack
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Officer Didarul Islam, a 36-year-old immigrant from Bangladesh, was fatally shot on Monday evening while serving an off-duty security assignment at 345 Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan. Married with two young sons and expecting a third child, Islam was a Bronx-based NYPD officer who had dedicated more than three years to the department before stepping into the corporate detail, Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch confirmed.
The shooting unfolded around 6:30 PM when 27-year-old Shane Tamura drove across state lines to the building and opened fire on unsuspecting bystanders in the lobby of the tower that houses both the NFL headquarters and offices managed by Rudin Management. Tamura then ascended to the 33rd floor, where he turned the gun on himself. A three-page suicide note discovered at the scene claimed he suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, and requested that his brain be studied after death.
Islam was one of four people killed in the attack. An NFL employee sustained non-life-threatening injuries, while another victim remains in critical condition. Four additional individuals escaped with minor wounds as security teams and responding officers coordinated evacuation efforts. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell later confirmed the injured employee’s status as stable.
Commissioner Tisch described Islam’s actions as the epitome of duty and sacrifice, stating that he “died as he lived. A hero.” Mayor Eric Adams echoed those remarks, noting Islam’s deep faith and commitment to service both on and off the clock. “He was protecting New Yorkers from danger when his life was tragically cut short,” Adams said in an official statement shared by the Office of the Mayor of New York City.
This incident spotlights two pressing issues: the role of immigrant officers within the NYPD and the rising frequency of off-duty corporate details. Department figures indicate that officers born abroad now account for over 10 percent of the force, highlighting successful recruitment efforts in a diverse metropolis. Meanwhile, annual reports show that the NYPD assigns thousands of off-duty shifts at private and corporate venues, underscoring the blurred lines between public safety and commercial security work.
Tamura’s reference to CTE aligns with broader discussions about mental health and brain injuries among former athletes and first responders. While investigators have not confirmed a direct link between his claimed condition and the attack, experts say the note offers potential insights into his mindset. The NYPD and the FBI continue to probe Tamura’s motive, travel itinerary, and any affiliations that may have influenced his actions.
As the department mourns Officer Islam’s loss, city officials are reviewing security protocols for high-risk buildings. Families of the victims and survivors await answers as the investigation unfolds. Expect further updates as this story unfolds.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and TMZ, New York Police Department, Office of the Mayor of New York City, National Football League
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
