David Muir interrupts ABC show for breaking news update on tragic NYC shooting

On Monday evening, David Muir shared breaking news about a tragic shooting in New York City in which a gunman killed four people and wounded a fifth before taking his own life

David Muir had to interrupt his ABC show last night to share a major breaking news update about a tragic shooting in New York City which left four people dead.

The anchor of World News Tonight on ABC News described the “chaotic scenes” unfolding in Midtown Manhattan after a gunman opened fire at a skyscraper that is home to the headquarters of both the NFL and Blackstone, one of the world’s largest investment firms, as well as other tenants. The journalist then said ABC had obtained an image of the suspect, holding a long gun, while walking in a suit and sunglasses.

The report also included images and videos of NYPD officers at the scene of the shooting, as well as clips of some employees exiting the building with their hands up while those inside were told to shelter in place. David then introduced a report by his colleague Juju Chang, who went on to share more details on the shooting.

Juju shared that at least three people had died at the time of the report. She added that sources told ABC that the gunman walked into the building and opened fire as employees were told to shelter in place and barricaded themselves inside officers, with furniture blocking access to rooms.

David Muir shared a breaking news about the shooting(Image: ABC)

The report also featured correspondent Will Reeve, reporting from Manhattan, who described the “overwhelming response” of the NYPD and other emergency services. Juju then said witnesses described the scenes as “terrifying” – including a woman who said “multiple shots” went off “in quick succession” – as armed officers raced in behind the suspect before conducting a floor-by-floor search of the skyscraper.

Juju continued to say that police said the suspect barricaded himself on the 33rd floor and was later found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gun shot. She then said, “David, the FBI is now on the scene assisting the NYPD in this urgent investigation.”

Police officers and emergency vehicles responding to the incident in Midtown Manhattan on Monday(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

After the broadcast, officials confirmed the gunman had killed four people, including a New York City police officer, and wounded a fifth before taking his own life. The suspect, identified by authorities as Shane Tamura of Las Vegas, had a “documented mental health history,” according to Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, but his motive was still unknown.

“We are working to understand why he targeted this particular location,” Tisch said. The rampage happened at the end of the workday in the same part of Manhattan where the chief executive of UnitedHealthcare was gunned down outside a hotel late last year.

Employees barricaded themselves inside offices(Image: @X)

Surveillance video showed the man exiting a double-parked BMW just before 6.30 p.m. carrying an M4 rifle, then marching across a public plaza into the building. Then, he started firing, Tisch said, killing a police officer working a corporate security detail and then hitting a woman who tried to take cover as he sprayed the lobby with gunfire.

The man then made his way to the elevator bank and shot a guard at a security desk and shot another man in the lobby, the commissioner said. The man took the elevator to the 33rd floor offices of the company that owned the building, Rudin Management, and shot and killed one person on that floor. The man then shot himself, the commissioner said. The building, 345 Park Avenue, also holds offices of the financial services firm KPMG.

Police officer Didarul Islam was branded ‘a hero’

The officer killed was Didarul Islam, 36, an immigrant from Bangladesh who had served as a police officer in New York City for three-and-a-half years, Tisch said at a news conference. “He was doing the job that we asked him to do. He put himself in harm’s way. He made the ultimate sacrifice,” Tisch said. “He died as he lived. A hero.”

One man was seriously wounded and remains in critical condition, Mayor Eric Adams said. Four others got minor injuries attempting to flee. Adams said officials are still “unraveling” what took place. Officers found a rifle case, a revolver, magazines and ammunition in Tamura’s car, Tisch said. They also found medication that belonged to Tamura, she said.

The suspect was seen wearing a suit and sunglasses, and holding a large gun

She said an initial investigation shows his vehicle traveled across the country, passing through Colorado on July 26, then Nebraska and Iowa on July 27. The car was in Columbia, New Jersey, as recently as 4.24 p.m. Monday. He drove into New York City shortly thereafter, she said.