NYC Shooter Shane Tamura Had 2 Unresolved Background Checks in Nevada Before Rampage
Man suspected in Midtown Manhattan shooting had unresolved background checks
A 27-year-old man involved in a deadly shooting at a Midtown Manhattan office tower had two ongoing background checks that remained unresolved, according to officials. Despite this, he was able to acquire an assault rifle used during the attack.
On July 28, Shane Tamura entered a 44-story office building and opened fire, spraying over 50 rounds across the lobby and up to the 33rd floor. During the rampage, he shot and killed four individuals: a Blackstone executive, an NYPD officer, a security guard, and the youngest victim, a 27-year-old Cornell graduate, before taking his own life.
The firearm used was purchased from his employer at the Horseshoe Las Vegas casino in October 2024, under supervision at a licensed gun store. Interestingly, Tamura’s background check in Nevada for that year was classified as unresolved—a status indicating the process was neither approved nor denied. A previous check in March 2022 was also unresolved. Federal law permits firearm transfers after three days if background checks are unresolved, and a research period of up to 90 days is standard, but no final decision was made in Tamura’s case.
Records show Tamura had a documented history of mental health issues, including suicidal thoughts, psychiatric holds, and arrests, all prior to both background checks. A recent report revealed he harbored anti-football sentiments, claiming to have degenerative brain disease, found in a note at the scene.
The weapon was purchased with the knowledge that background checks had not been conclusively approved, highlighting vulnerabilities in the background check system. A copy of Tamura’s 2024 background check only listed a trespassing arrest from 2023, with no mention of his prior mental health concerns.
Unresolved background checks make up approximately 3% of all cases, often allowing firearms to be transferred without full approval. Authorities continue to investigate how Tamura was able to obtain his weapon despite these unresolved statuses.