Shooter’s Unresolved Background Checks Enabled Deadly Attack in Midtown Manhattan
A 27-year-old man responsible for the deaths of four individuals at a Midtown Manhattan office building had two unresolved background checks, which the Nevada Point of Contact Firearms Program never completed, according to officials.
On July 28, Shane Tamura entered the 44-story office tower and unleashed over 50 rounds throughout the lobby and the 33rd floor. His rampage resulted in the deaths of a Blackstone executive, an NYPD officer, and a security guard in the lobby, and he shot and killed a 27-year-old Cornell graduate on the 33rd floor before taking his own life.
Tamura utilized an assault rifle purchased from his employer at the Horseshoe Las Vegas casino, where the sale was finalized with the oversight of a gun store in October 2024. During the same month, authorities indicated that his background check was “unresolved,” creating a loophole that allowed him to retain the firearm despite not receiving a definitive approval or denial.
Additionally, a prior background check conducted in March 2022 was also deemed “unresolved,” according to documents obtained from investigative sources. Federal law stipulates that unresolved checks may allow firearm transfers to proceed after three days if the gun dealer chooses to permit it. The program is required to conduct a follow-up investigation within 90 days to reach a conclusive decision.
In both instances, no firm conclusion was reached regarding Tamura, who had a concerning history of mental health challenges, including suicidal thoughts, psychiatric holds, and previous arrests before the checks took place.
A review of his 2024 background check, made public, only referenced a trespassing arrest from 2023, leaving out his earlier mental health struggles.
Data from the department indicates that approximately 3% of all background checks are classified as “unresolved.” It is believed that Tamura specifically targeted the NFL headquarters located within the Midtown building, as he expressed grievances about the sport and referenced a claim of having degenerative brain disease in a note discovered at the scene.
Inquiries made to the Nevada State Police Records, Communications, and Compliance Division, which manages the Point of Contact Firearms Program, aimed to clarify the situation.
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