Patriots owner Robert Kraft slams 'hate' in America as he addresses 'mentally ill' Manhattan shooter
'We're all excited because the beginning of training camp, this week we started in pads, I've been looking forward to this for months,' the 84-year-old billionaire told Kay Adams. 'To have what we had happen in New York was so sad to me.'
The tragedy unfolded Monday night when Shane Tamura, 27, of Las Vegas exited a double-parked BMW armed with a rifle before entering the midtown-Manhattan skyscraper. New York Police Department officials say Tamura then fired on one officer and sprayed the lobby with bullets before taking an elevator to the 33rd floor, where he fatally shot another person and killed himself.
NYPD now says Tamura was targeting the NFL offices on another floor but entered the wrong elevator and instead ended up at a real estate office. A note found in his wallet later implied he was upset with the NFL over his belief he was suffering from chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a degenerative brain disease linked to repeated head trauma.
CTE, as it is known, can only be diagnosed posthumously. Tamura, who was reportedly a former high school football player, asked to have his brain studied after his death. Police say he had a history of mental illness.
Four people were killed by Tamura in the shooting and another, an NFL employee, was left critically injured before being upgraded to stable. The deceased have been identified as Blackstone executive Wesley LePatner, NYPD officer Didarul Islam, Cornell graduate Julia Hyman and security guard Aland Etienne.
'When you look at the officer, Islam, who came from Bangladesh, a good Muslim man who has two kids, working, private, doing what he's doing as a policeman, his wife is pregnant, and he gets killed,' Kraft said. 'It just creates a whole seriousness.
'And also, the hate that exists in the country, now this guy who did it was mentally ill, but we're trying with our Blue Square foundation, push back on this with love,' Kraft continued, referring to his organization aimed at ending antisemitism.
'And, of course, what the NFL represents: Bringing communities together, people of all backgrounds rooting for their team,' Kraft said. 'I know how people are excited about our team. And then we have the dampener because we have man, who is mentally ill, come in with a rifle and do what he did, kill innocent people.
'We live in the greatest country in the world,' Kraft continued, patting Adams on the shoulder. 'We got to stop that from happening.'
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell asked colleagues to stay away from the league's Manhattan's offices in the aftermath of the shooting that left one of his employees injured.
That person, now identified by The Athletic as Craig Clementi, is now surrounded by family and coworkers, according to an update shared by Goodell.
'Our thoughts and prayers remain especially with our colleague who was impacted,' read the letter to all NFL employees, which was provided to Daily Mail by a league spokesman. '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.'
Roger Goodell penned a letter to NFL staff after this week's fatal shooting in Manhattan
As for the rest of the league office, they are being asked to work remotely through August 8 as the NFL offers counseling to employees impacted by the horrific shooting.
'I want to take a moment to reach out to you all following yesterday's tragic events,' Goodell's letter began. 'Our hearts go out to all of 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.
'We are strongest when we come together and support one another. To provide a space for our community, we will be holding a virtual town hall tomorrow where we can connect, share, and support each other. More details to follow.
'This has been a challenging time for our entire team. Please continue to take care of yourselves and one another. If you need additional support, do not hesitate to reach out to your manager or HR. We are here for you.
'Thank you to all of you 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.'
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