NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has asked colleagues to stay away from the league’s Manhattan’s offices in the aftermath of this week’s mass shooting that left one staffer injured and in stable condition.
That employee, who remains unidentified, is now surrounded by family and coworkers, according to an update shared by Goodell.
‘Our thoughts and prayers remain especially with our colleague who was impacted,’ read the letter to all NFL employees, which was provided to Daily Mail by a league spokesman. ‘He is currently surrounded by his family and members of the NFL community, and we are all continuing to hope for and support his full recovery.’
As for the rest of the league office, they are being asked to work remotely through August 8 as the NFL offers counseling to employees impacted by the horrific shooting.
‘I want to take a moment to reach out to you all following yesterday’s tragic events,’ Goodell’s letter began. ‘Our hearts go out to all of the victims and their families, and we are deeply grateful for the first responders and medical staff who acted so quickly and continue to provide care.
‘We are strongest when we come together and support one another. To provide a space for our community, we will be holding a virtual town hall tomorrow where we can connect, share, and support each other. More details to follow.
Roger Goodell penned a letter to NFL staff after this week’s fatal shooting in Manhattan
The tragedy unfolded Monday night when Shane Tamura, 27, of Las Vegas exited a double-parked BMW armed with a rifle before entering the midtown-Manhattan skyscraper
‘This has been a challenging time for our entire team. Please continue to take care of yourselves and one another. If you need additional support, do not hesitate to reach out to your manager or HR. We are here for you.
‘Thank you to all of you for the compassion, care, and support you are showing to one another right now. It means so much to see how our team is pulling together.’
Goodell concluded his letter by adding his hope for ‘healing and brighter days ahead.’
The tragedy unfolded Monday night when Shane Tamura, 27, of Las Vegas exited a double-parked BMW armed with a rifle before entering the midtown-Manhattan skyscraper. New York Police Department officials say Tamura then fired on one officer and sprayed the lobby with bullets before taking an elevator to the 33rd floor, where he fatally shot another person and killed himself.
NYPD now says Tamura was targeting the NFL offices on another floor but entered the wrong elevator and instead ended up at a real estate office. A note found in his wallet later implied he was upset with the NFL over his belief he was suffering from chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a degenerative brain disease linked to repeated head trauma.
CTE, as it is known, can only be diagnosed posthumously. Tamura, who was reportedly a former high school football player, asked to have his brain studied after his death. Police say he had a history of mental illness.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has not identified the injured league employee
FDNY personal, NYPD police officers and emergency vehicles are on the scene after a gunman armed with a rifle opened fire in the lobby of the building on 52nd Street and Park Avenue
Four people were killed by Tamura in the shooting and another, the NFL employee, was left critically injured before being upgraded to stable. The victims have been identified as Blackstone executive Wesley LePatner, NYPD officer Didarul Islam, Cornell graduate Julia Hyman and security guard Aland Etienne.
Deceased NFL player Terry Long was named in a suicide note by Tamura, apparently, due to the former Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman’s own battle with CTE.
‘Terry Long football gave me CTE and it caused me to drink a gallon of antifreeze,’ Tamura wrote, as per CNN. ‘You can’t go against the NFL, they’ll squash you. Study my brain please I’m sorry.’
Long died by suicide at the age of 45 after he drank a full gallon of antifreeze, a revised 2006 death certificate said. A coroner initially ruled that his death in June 2005 was a result of meningitis.
Long was found unresponsive at his home and died in hospital. Only later was he diagnosed with CTE.
