Four people lost their lives, and another was seriously injured in a shooting at a skyscraper on Park Avenue in New York City. Among the victims was 36-year-old Didharul Islam, a police officer who was on guard duty at the scene and was shot dead at the entrance to the building.

Authorities say the alleged shooter was 27-year-old Shane Tamura of Nevada, who then turned the gun on himself. Authorities said he had a documented history of mental health issues, and the motive for his actions remains unclear.

Islam, an immigrant from Bangladesh, lived in the Bronx with his wife, their two children, and his parents. According to the New York City Police Department, he was assigned to the 47th Precinct in the Bronx and had worked in the police department for more than three years.

Police Commissioner Jessica Tish told a press conference that “Officer Islam did what he was asked to do: protect lives by putting himself in harm’s way. He died as he lived – as a hero.”

He lived as he lived – as a hero.
A similar tone was echoed by New York City Mayor Eric Adams: “He was a true New Yorker – not just because of the uniform he wore, but because of his spirit and his energy. He did what he knew best: he protected lives. He was a hero.”

The mayor visited Islam’s family after the attack and spoke with emotion about their meeting. “He was his father’s only son,” he said, “and as a parent, I understand the depth of this loss.”

In addition to Islam, three other civilians – two men and a woman – died during the attack, whose identities have not been released. Still, one man is being treated in critical condition. Tamura appears to have started the attack by killing Islam at the entrance of the building, then moved to the upper floors, reaching up to the 33rd floor, where he shot himself.

On Monday afternoon, residents of the Bronx’s Bangladeshi community visited Islam’s family. According to the New York Times, Islam had started his career as a school security guard before joining the police force. His friends and relatives described a man active in the local community and his parish, who helped young people in the neighborhood.

One of the young men he had mentored, Marianul Karim, said Islam chose the police force “because he wanted to leave behind a project for his family, something they could be proud of.”