Open gunfire in New York: 4 Killed Among Bangladeshi-Origin Police Officer

Melbourne, 29 July — Four people were killed in a shooting incident in New York City, United States. Among the deceased was a Bangladeshi-origin individual, who was a police officer serving in the New York Police Department (NYPD).

The gunman reportedly committed suicide. This information was reported by international news agency Associated Press on Tuesday (July 29).

According to the report, a gunman opened fire inside an office building in New York City on Monday local time, killing four people. One of the victims was an off-duty NYPD officer who was a Bangladeshi national. Another person was critically injured in the incident. Officials confirmed that the shooter later took his own life.

The slain police officer was identified as Didarul Islam (36), who had served in the NYPD for three years and six months. His wife is pregnant, and he leaves behind two young children. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said, “He lived like a hero and died like a hero.”

Police identified the shooter as Shane Tamura, a resident of Las Vegas, who had a prior history of mental health issues. However, the motive behind the shooting remains unknown.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams said one person remains in critical condition. “Five innocent people were shot,” he said.

Security camera footage showed a man getting out of a parked BMW holding an M4 rifle and walking toward the building. Upon entering, he shot the police officer and then a woman trying to take shelter. He continued to fire indiscriminately in the lobby.

According to police, the shooter then moved toward the elevator, shot a security guard hiding behind the security desk and another person in the lobby. He later went to the 33rd floor and entered a real estate office, where he shot and killed another person before taking his own life.

From the shooter’s vehicle, police recovered a rifle case, a revolver, bullets, and magazines.

At around 6:30 p.m. local time on Monday, New York Fire Department personnel arrived at the Park Avenue office building following the incident. The building houses offices of several top financial institutions and the National Football League (NFL).

In an interview, a woman named Jessica Chen said she was attending a presentation on the second floor when she suddenly heard gunshots coming from downstairs. She and others quickly barricaded themselves inside a conference room by pushing a table against the door.

“We were all very scared,” said Jessica. She also mentioned sending a message to her parents saying she loved them.

Local TV footage showed people exiting the building with their hands raised. The building also houses the offices of Blackstone and the Consulate General of Ireland. According to the Police Commissioner, two NYPD units were already present in the building, hired privately for security duties.

Following the incident, the city’s emergency management department issued warnings about traffic congestion, road closures, and disruptions to public transport in the area. It is noteworthy that, according to AP, gun-related violence and homicide rates in New York had been at their lowest in decades up to this July.