NYC Office Shooting: Aland Etienne, a 46-year-old security guard, has been identified as one of the victims killed in the tragic mass shooting at 345 Park Avenue in Manhattan on July 28. Etienne was on duty in the lobby of the Midtown office tower when he was fatally shot by the gunman, 27-year-old Shane Devon Tamura of Las Vegas.
Etienne’s death was confirmed by his union, 32BJ SEIU, whose president paid tribute to his dedication and sacrifice.
“Every time a security officer puts on their uniform, they put their lives on the line,” said union president Manny Pastreich in a statement. “Their contributions to our city are essential, though often overlooked. Aland Etienne is a New York hero. We will remember him as such.”
The shooting left four innocent people dead, including Etienne, off-duty NYPD officer Didarul Islam, and Blackstone executive Wesley LePatner. A fourth victim, a 27-year-old woman, has not yet been publicly identified. The gunman took his own life after the attack.
According to authorities, Tamura entered the Park Avenue building armed with an M4 rifle. After opening fire in the lobby, he took an elevator to the 33rd floor, where he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The building houses several major companies, including the NFL.
Law enforcement later confirmed that Tamura had a known mental health history. In a note found after the incident, Tamura claimed he suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a brain condition linked to repeated head trauma. He referenced former NFL player Terry Long, who died by suicide in 2005 and was posthumously diagnosed with CTE.
Tamura wrote in his note: “Terry Long football gave me CTE and it caused me to drink a gallon of antifreeze… You can’t go against the NFL, they’ll squash you.” He also asked researchers to study his brain.
Investigators believe Tamura intended to target the NFL offices but took the wrong elevator. One NFL employee was seriously injured in the attack and is now in stable condition, Commissioner Roger Goodell confirmed in a memo to staff.
Etienne’s death has underscored the quiet courage of security professionals who risk their lives to protect others. He is survived by loved ones and colleagues who remember him not just as a guard, but as a protector and public servant.
