In a shocking turn of events, New York City Mayor Eric Adams has revealed new details surrounding the deadly mass shooting that occurred on Monday at a Manhattan office building, resulting in four fatalities and one injury. Describing the incident as an "intentional, sick, twisted act of violence," Adams spoke exclusively with ABC News' Aaron Katersky about the chilling nature of the crime.
The gunman, who traveled cross-country from Nevada, appears to have specifically targeted the NFL headquarters located at 345 Park Avenue. A note left by the shooter referenced CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy), although investigators are still working diligently to ascertain the exact motive behind this tragic event. "We're far from the investigation to finalize exactly what happened," Adams stated, emphasizing the need for comprehensive analysis of the shooter's note. "We're looking at his note that talked about CTE... but it is far from conclusive."
Mayor Adams confirmed that the shooter had a background in high school football, but did not play at the collegiate or professional levels. Security camera footage revealed the gunman's methodical approach during the attack. "When you look at the tapes... there was just a total disregard for human lives," Adams remarked. Notably, the shooter allowed a woman to pass unharmed while he attacked everyone else he encountered.
The tragic incident claimed the lives of several individuals, including Wesley LePatner, a Blackstone employee and mother of two; Didarul Islam, an off-duty NYPD officer; security officer Aland Etienne; and Julia Hyman, an employee of Rudin Management. An NFL employee was also injured during the attack, adding to the list of victims affected by this senseless act of violence.
Mayor Adams praised the building management's security protocols, which included the presence of an armed security officer, emergency response measures, and active shooter drills. "I believe their actions saved the lives of many employees," he noted. Eyewitness Jessica Chen, who was present in the building during the shooting, described a harrowing scene. "We heard multiple shots go off in quick succession from the first floor," she recalled. Along with about 150 others, Chen barricaded herself in a second-floor conference room, sending a text to her parents, expressing her love in what she described as an unfathomable situation. "Nothing could have prepared any of us. I think all of us were frozen," she shared with ABC News.
In light of the tragedy, Mayor Adams emphasized the urgent need for stricter gun control measures at a national level. He reiterated that the response to mass shooters cannot simply be vigils but must involve legislative action. "It must be legislation," Adams declared, raising concerns about the accessibility of automatic weapons. To bolster the investigation, two teams of detectives were dispatched to Las Vegas to execute a search warrant on the shooter's home and gather information about the weapons used in the attack.
During the investigation, authorities discovered that parts of the automatic weapon had been purchased by an individual other than the shooter, leading to questions regarding potential assistance in the crime. In a show of support, President Donald Trump reached out to Mayor Adams to express his condolences and commend the NYPD's prompt response. Adams praised the officers who bravely entered the building, fully aware of the risk they faced. "They went into the building with knowledge that there was a shooter present," he stated. "They did not wait, and they knew their timing was important."
This tragic event has raised significant questions about public safety and the ongoing debates surrounding gun control in America, underscoring the need for immediate action to prevent future tragedies.
