A security guard hailed for his bravery, Aland Etienne, was among the four victims killed in Monday evening’s mass shooting at 345 Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan.
The incident began just after 6:30 p.m. when 27-year-old Shane Tamura, armed with an M4-style rifle, entered the high-rise’s lobby and opened fire. According to investigators, Tamura had intended to attack the National Football League’s (NFL) headquarters, reportedly motivated by grievances related to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)—a degenerative brain disease linked to repeated head trauma in football players. However, he mistakenly accessed the wrong elevator and ended up on the 33rd floor, home to Rudin Management.
Before reaching that floor, Tamura fatally shot Aland Etienne at his security post near the elevator bank. Etienne, a well-respected member of the building’s private security team, was reportedly attempting to assess the situation and alert others when he was gunned down. He died at the scene.
Tamura proceeded to the 33rd floor, where he killed Julia Hyman, 26, an associate at Rudin Management and a Cornell University graduate. Also killed in the attack were NYPD Officer Didarul Islam, 36, assigned to a private security detail, and Wesley LePatner, 43, a senior managing director at Blackstone.
Authorities say Tamura drove cross-country from Las Vegas, leaving behind a handwritten note that cited CTE and referenced former NFL player Terry Long. Investigators believe Tamura intended to confront NFL executives over the league’s alleged mishandling of player safety and brain trauma but fatally miscalculated his plan.
“We are devastated by the senseless violence that took the lives of four innocent individuals, including our beloved colleague Julia Hyman and heroic security officer Aland Etienne. Our hearts are with their families and all those affected by this unimaginable tragedy. We are committed to supporting our team and the larger community during this difficult time.”
Mayor Eric Adams called the attack “a harrowing reminder of the devastating impact of gun violence,” adding that the NYPD and federal partners are continuing their investigation into Tamura’s background and actions leading up to the shooting.
Aland Etienne is being remembered by colleagues as “dedicated, dependable, and courageous to the end.” Plans for a public memorial have not yet been announced.
