A Bangladeshi-origin New York City police officer was among four people killed in a mass shooting at a high-rise in Midtown Manhattan on Monday evening.

Officer Didarul Islam, who had been working a security detail in the building, was shot dead by a heavily armed gunman shortly after the attacker stormed the premises with an MR rifle in full view. 

Didarul Islam, who had served with the NYPD for three years, leaves behind two children, while his wife is currently expecting their third child.

“He died as he lived — a hero,” said New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, praising the officer's bravery and sacrifice. “He was doing the job that we asked him to do. He made the ultimate sacrifice.”

The attack took place at 345 Park Avenue, home to major firms including the National Football League (NFL) and Blackstone, one of the world’s largest investment companies.

According to authorities, the suspect—Shane Devon Tamura, 27—travelled from Las Vegas and entered the building around 6:30 pm (ET). 

Surveillance footage shows him opening fire in the lobby, killing Officer Islam before targeting several others. A woman hiding behind a pillar and another security guard were among those shot.

Tamura continued his rampage to the 33rd floor, where Ruden Building Management is located, killing another person before fatally shooting himself. While three of the victims have been identified, police have not yet released the names of the remaining two.

Although the motive remains unclear, Commissioner Tisch confirmed that the suspect had a documented history of mental illness. He had driven cross-country to New York, passing through Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, and New Jersey in the days leading up to the attack. His vehicle—a BMW registered in Nevada—was found double-parked outside the building with multiple rounds of ammunition and a revolver inside.

The violent incident brought a large stretch of Midtown Manhattan and surrounding transit systems to a standstill. Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos, with office workers barricading themselves inside rooms and others being evacuated with their hands above their heads.

“It was terrifying,” said Mama Bouhenni, who works at a nearby coffee shop. “I saw many familiar faces among those being escorted out.”

The NYPD continued clearing the building for hours after the attack. One BBC journalist at the scene reported witnessing a man with a bloodied chest being taken away on a stretcher, while police ordered bystanders to shelter inside nearby buildings.

The shooting has sent shockwaves through the Bangladeshi community in the United States and in Bangladesh, where many expressed grief over Officer Islam’s death and praised his service.

Source: BBC

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