NYC Shooter's 2022 Concussion and Mental Health History Revealed

The mother of Shane Tamura, the 27-year-old responsible for a fatal shooting at a Manhattan office tower in 2025, disclosed to 911 dispatchers in 2022 that he had suffered a sports-related concussion and was under treatment for depression, chronic migraines, and insomnia [1]. The newly released records from Las Vegas police show that Tamura’s mental health had long been a concern, with his mother describing a pattern of instability and self-harm threats [2]. At that time, she also indicated her son was using sleeping pills, marijuana, and had a gun in his backpack.

Tamura, who did not play professional football but had a high school football background, carried a handwritten note during the shooting that referenced chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a condition linked to repeated head trauma. He accused the NFL of concealing the risks of brain injuries, a claim that appears to have been a significant motivator [3]. The attack left four dead, including three in the lobby of the building and one on the 33rd floor, before Tamura took his own life.

Tamura’s 2022 crisis was not an isolated event. His mother described a tense moment during the 911 call when he was agitated and claimed she was making his condition worse. She said she stepped outside to wait for emergency responders, fearing for his well-being but also his potential to act on suicidal impulses [4]. That incident led to his hospitalization, and another crisis in 2024 further underscored the ongoing mental health struggles he faced [5].

The information was released by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department amid the extraordinary nature of Tamura’s case. Typically, such records are protected due to privacy laws, but the department stated the circumstances warranted public disclosure [6]. Tamura had recently worked in surveillance at the Horseshoe Las Vegas before driving to New York, using a rifle and car obtained from his supervisor. A search of his locker and apartment uncovered rifle tripods, ammunition, and psychiatric medications, including an epilepsy drug and anti-inflammatory [7].

Tamura’s documented psychiatric history would not have prevented him from legally owning a firearm unless a family member or law enforcement pursued an extreme risk protection order. However, a new state law now allows for the immediate confiscation of firearms near individuals placed on mental health crisis holds [8].

Las Vegas police also disclosed that Tamura had previous legal encounters, including trespassing at a casino in 2023 and being cited for driving without a license in 2024. These incidents add further context to his erratic behavior [9].

The emergence of this information has reignited discussions about the intersection of mental health, traumatic brain injuries, and public safety. While no direct causal link has been established between his 2022 concussion and the 2025 shooting, the timing and pattern of his struggles are notable [10]. The case may prompt further scrutiny of how mental health crises are addressed and how law enforcement can intervene before violent outcomes occur.

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[1] Shane Tamura had a documented history of mental health problems and carried a handwritten note when he carried out the shooting that claimed he had chronic... (https://fortune.com/2025/08/06/new-york-mass-shooter-concussion-history-shane-tamura/)

[2] Newly released police reports and body camera footage are shedding light on the troubled path that led a shooter on a cross-country drive from his home in... (https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/06/us/las-vegas-police-nyc-shooter-documents-hnk)

[3] The mother of the man who killed four people at a Manhattan office tower home to the NFL told 911 dispatchers during a 2022 incident when he threatened to... (https://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/nyc-gunman-blamed-nfl-hiding-brain-injury-dangers-124399871)

[4] NYC Mass Shooter's Mother Told Cops About Son's Concussions, Depression in Old 911 Call. The Las Vegas police released a slew of documents related to several...See more (https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/shane-tamura-mom-police-concussions-nyc-shooting-1235402005/)

[5] The mother of the man who killed four people at a Manhattan office tower home to the NFL before taking his own life told 911 dispatchers during a 2022... (https://www.local10.com/news/national/2025/08/05/nyc-gunman-who-blamed-nfl-for-hiding-brain-injury-dangers-suffered-from-sports-concussion-mom-said/)

[10] The new information raises questions about the intersection of mental health, traumatic brain injuries, and public safety. While it is not uncommon for individuals with unresolved psychological issues to experience violent episodes, the specific role of a sports-related concussion in Tamura’s case remains a subject of scrutiny. (https://www.aol.com/midtown-manhattan-shooter-treated-sports-081011036.html)