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NFL headquarters shooter: Roger Goodell sends emotional message to employees following tragic shooting

Chandler Vesselsby: Chandler Vessels07/29/25ChandlerVessels
roger goodell
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has issued an email to league employees after a shooter opened fire inside the building that houses the NFL headquarters in Manhattan on Monday. Four people were killed as a result, including an off-duty officer.

ESPN reported that one NFL HQ employee had been seriously injured in the shooting. Goodell mentioned him specifically in the email, and also revealed a plan for employees to work remotely for the next couple of weeks.

“Our hearts go out to all 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,” Goodell said in the message. “Our thoughts and prayers remain especially with our colleague who was impacted. 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.

“For those of you who work in the New York office, please plan to work remotely at least through the end of next week (Aug. 8). The office will remain closed during this time, and we ask that you do not enter the building until we confirm that it is ready for us to return.”

Identified as Shane Tamura, the 27-year-old shooter reportedly began to open fire at around 6:30 p.m. before turning the gun on himself. He has a history of mental heath struggles, but no direct motive for the shooting is known.

According to ESPN, Tamura was targeting the NFL headquarters but took the wrong elevator. The NFL employees inside the building were told to shelter in place during the shooting. The NFL HQ is located on floors 5-8 of the 44-floor building. The gunman was eventually found dead by a self-inflicted gunshot wound on the 33rd floor.

Roger Goodell also offered some words to encouragement to the NFL employees and urged them to stay strong. He let them know to reach out to someone if they needed any help at all.

“We are the strongest when we come together to support one another,” Goodell continued in his email. “To provide a space for our community, we will be holding a virtual town hall meeting where we can connect, share and support each other. …This has been a challenging time for our entire team. Please continue to take care of yourselves and one another.

“Thank you all 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. In the midst of this difficult time, we hold on to hope and optimism for healing and bright days ahead.”