An NFL staffer became an unlikely hero during a violent Manhattan shooting at the league’s offices when he warned his colleagues to flee the building after taking a bullet.
NFL targeted in Manhattan shooting
Craig Clementi was reportedly on a phone call with other NFL workers when he was struck in the back by a bullet on Sunday evening.
Despite being wounded, Clementi managed to alert coworkers to get out of the building and seek safety.
He reportedly stayed on the phone, continuing to reach out to others even while receiving emergency medical treatment.
He was later taken to the hospital by ambulance and is currently listed in stable condition.
The terrifying Manhattan shooting began in the lobby of the high-rise at 345 Park Avenue, where 27-year-old Shane Tamura reportedly planned to exact his revenge on the NFL.
The building, which houses not only Rudin Management but also investment firm Blackstone and the NFL’s main offices on the fifth floor, became the scene of a deadly ambush.
Authorities say he fatally shot a woman and a security guard before firing on an NYPD officer.
From there, Tamura is said to have mistakenly made his way to the 33rd floor, where Rudin Management is located, and continued unleashing bullets from an M4-style rifle.
His deadly spree claimed four lives in total before he turned the weapon on himself.
Suspect in Manhattan shooting blamed league for CTE
Tamura, reportedly a security employee at Horseshoe Las Vegas and a former high school football player, left behind a disturbing three-page suicide note.
The note blamed the NFL for hiding the effects of traumatic brain injuries tied to football.
In the letter, Tamura made references to Terry Long, a former Pittsburgh Steeler who died by suicide after being diagnosed with CTE.
Lock Them Up! Russiagate is reigniting…
Obama, Clinton, Comey, and Brennan are all on the hook!
CLICK HERE to demand Russiagate conspirators got to prison!
“Terry Long football gave me CTE and it caused me to drink a gallon of antifreeze,” the shooter wrote. “You can’t go against the NFL, they’ll squash you.”
The note went on to say, “Please study brain for CTE. I’m sorry. The league knowingly concealed the dangers to our brains to maximize profits. They failed us.”
New York City Mayor Eric Adams addressed the suspect’s motive, stating that Tamura “appeared to have blamed the NFL for his injury.”
Adams said the shooter likely meant to target the NFL directly but ended up on the wrong floor.
“He, from our preliminary investigation, he took the wrong elevator bank up to the NFL headquarters,” the mayor said.
“Instead, it took him to Rudin Management, and that is where he carried out additional shootings and took the lives of additional employees.”
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell released a message to league staff following the shocking incident.
“As has been widely reported, a gunman committed an unspeakable act of violence in our building at 345 Park Avenue. One of our employees was seriously injured in this attack,” Goodell wrote.
“He is currently in the hospital and in stable condition. NFL staff are at the hospital and we are supporting his family.
“We believe that all of our employees are otherwise safe and accounted for, and the building has nearly been cleared.”
President Donald Trump weighed in on the Midtown shooting in a post on social media Tuesday.
“I trust our law enforcement agencies to get to the bottom of why this crazed lunatic committed such a senseless act of violence,” Trump wrote.
“My heart is with the families of the four people who were killed, including the NYPD Officer, who made the ultimate sacrifice,” Trump added.
“God Bless the New York Police Department, and God Bless New York!”
Tamura reportedly failed to report to his shift at the Horseshoe casino Sunday and drove cross-country to carry out the deadly assault.
According to Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, he arrived in New York just before the shooting took place. She also noted that he suffered from a history of mental illness.
Authorities say detectives are looking to interview the individual who provided Tamura with components of the AR-15-style rifle he used, including the lower receiver.
Father of slain NYPD officer has stroke over news of son’s death
One of the four people killed was an NYPD officer working a second job, which had been authorized by the department.
He was wearing his uniform at the time and was providing security at the Park Avenue building.
Officer Didarul Islam , a 36-year-old immigrant from Bangladesh, had served in the NYPD for over three years.
He leaves behind two children and a heavily pregnant wife expecting their third in a month.
His cousin, Muhammad Mainul Islam, described the devastating impact the officer’s death had on the family.
“His father went last night to see him,” Islam said. “When he heard the message, he had a stroke, feeling bad. So he had a stroke so the hospital did not release him.”
