CNN anchor Erin Burnett is facing widespread criticism for comments made on-air during the initial coverage of Monday evening’s mass shooting in Midtown Manhattan.
As information was still developing, Burnett cited early police descriptions of the suspect as “sunglasses, mustache, male, possibly white,” a statement that has since drawn backlash for being speculative.
Cam Skattebo, Jaxson Dart’s new weapon, looks scary to the rest of the NFL
The gunman, identified later as 27-year-old Shane Tamura, stormed into 345 Park Avenue carrying a Palmetto State Armory AR-15 rifle. In a matter of moments, he opened fire in the lobby, killing NYPD Officer Didarul Islam and three civilians before moving to an upper floor and taking his own life.
A fifth victim survived gunshot wounds. The building, a 44-story tower, is home to the NFL’s headquarters and financial powerhouse Blackstone.
Online reaction questions early reporting
Images from security footage showing Tamura entering the building quickly spread online, prompting debate over the accuracy of Burnett‘s remarks. Many critics accused the network of rushing to assumptions in the absence of confirmed facts.
“He may be a bunch of different things, basically anything BUT white,” one social media user wrote in response. Another added, “CNN should be shut down. They have not reported a truthful story in what seems like forever.”
Law enforcement sources acknowledged that initial internal reports even suggested the shooter might have been of Middle Eastern descent, underscoring how fluid early information can be during a crisis. Others online argued that focusing on the suspect’s race was irrelevant in the face of such a devastating attack.
Investigators uncover disturbing details
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch confirmed that Officer Islam was the first victim, gunned down as Tamura entered the building. Panic spread immediately, with videos showing bystanders fleeing onto Park Avenue as officers evacuated the skyscraper.
Authorities later revealed that Tamura left behind a lengthy note in which he claimed to suffer from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease linked to football-related head trauma.
He requested that his brain be studied after his death, connecting his mental decline to his years as a standout high school running back. Officials also confirmed he had a documented history of mental health issues.
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
2025 College Football Rankings: Ohio State Stays No. 1 as Penn State, Texas Slide
<!--> [--> RJ Young FOX Sports National College Football Analyst <!--> --> The Buckeyes are flirting with becoming one of the best defenses in the history of the sport. As I wrote earlier this week, they’re making a serious case as the most dominant unit since Alabama’s 2011 squad — a team that allowed just 8.2 points per game en route to a national title. Ohio State? They’ve been even better.Through six games, the Buckeyes are giving up just 5.5 points per game, have yet to allow a red-zone touchdown, and have held every opponent to nine points or fewer. That average dropped even further Saturday night, as Ohio State gave up just nine total points in its last two games combined.What’s more: they’re just as dangerous on offense.The Buckeyes scored 42 points against Minnesota, with quarterback Julian Sayin continuing […]
India announce squads for Australia tour: Gill to lead ODIs, Surya to captain T20Is
View Comments Mumbai: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Saturday announced Team India’s squads for the upcoming tour of Australia, which includes three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and five Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) to be played in October and November. The Senior Men’s Selection Committee finalised a mix of experience and youth, signalling both continuity and experimentation ahead of a busy cricket calendar. In a notable move, Shubman Gill has been appointed as captain for the ODI series, marking a major milestone in his young career. The 25-year-old opener will lead an Indian side featuring several seasoned campaigners including Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, both of whom will provide experience and stability at the top and middle order. Shreyas Iyer, who returns from injury, has been named vice-captain, strengthening the leadership group. The ODI squad also features KL […]
Misery Index: Penn State’s woes worsen with embarrassing loss to UCLA
Whenever we talk about Penn State, there’s a macro and a micro perspective of the program. It’s not always easy to know which one should command your attention.You can step back and see that James Franklin has finished inside the top-10 five times in his 11 seasons while winning two-thirds of his Big 12 games. That’s quite good without any other context. At the same time, we all know the bad stuff too: 1-10 against Ohio State, 4-21 against top-10 opponents, constantly hitting his head on a ceiling in the most important games.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementCan’t fire him. Can’t trust him.It’s a real dilemma for Penn State’s administration. They know Franklin runs a good program and generally wins the games he’s supposed to win, that firing him would be absurdly expensive (in the $50 million range) and there’s significant risk of replacing him […]
Aventure and Minnie Hauk headline Arc showdown
It's Arc day! Don't miss a moment from Europe's premier raceday - live on Sky Sports Racing from ParisLongchamp.3.05 ParisLongchamp - Star fillies Minnie Hauk and Aventure headline Arc showdownEurope's richest race has not disappointed, with star fillies Aventure and Minnie Hauk headlining a stellar field. Aventure ran a stormer to chase home Bluestocking in this event last year and warmed up for this race with an emphatic display in the Prix Vermeille. That was a first Group 1 success, and she is sure to be in the mix under Maxime Guyon - who has opted to abandon the ride on Sosie in her favour.Minnie Hauk arrives unbeaten in four starts this summer winning the English and Irish Oaks before beating Estrange in the Yorkshire version. She could be suited by this staying test and rates a huge danger for […]
Wellens coy on St Helens future with contract up
St Helens head coach Paul Wellens said discussions need to take place regarding his future after his side fell to a 20-12 loss in the Super League semi-finals to Hull KR.Wellens' contract is now up and no announcement has been made as to whether he will be staying or if the club will be going in another direction. He took over at the start of the 2023 season and won the World Club Challenge in his first game in charge in remarkable circumstances, beating Penrith Panthers with a golden-point drop goal.Saints then finished third due to points difference in 2023 and went out in the semi-finals after a Sam Tomkins wonder try, a distinctly poor 2024 following as they were hampered by a raft of injuries, 2025 seeing them go out at the semi-final stage again. Please use Chrome browser […]
Manish, Vaishnavi clinch singles titles in 30th Fenesta Open National Tennis Championship
View Comments New Delhi: Tamil Nadu’s Manish Sureshkumar and Maharashtra’s Vaishnavi Adkar continued their winning run in 30th Fenesta Open National Tennis Championship to clinch the men’s and women’s singles titles, respectively at the DLTA Complex in New Delhi on Saturday.In the men’s singles final, Manish Sureshkumar overcame Keerthivassan Suresh 6-4, 6-2 in a two-hour contest, showing his consistency and composure under pressure.Both players began aggressively, trading early breaks of serve to level at 1-1. Manish then broke Keerthivassan's serve to go 2-1 up and consolidated to make it 3-1. Keerthivassan responded strongly, holding and breaking back to edge ahead 4-3. However, Manish lifted his game from that point, breaking his opponent's serve again to close the opening set.Carrying the momentum into the second set, the Tamil Nadu player maintained his rhythm, playing long rallies with precise groundstrokes and solid […]
Related
2025 College Football Rankings: Ohio State Stays No. 1 as Penn State, Texas Slide
<!--> [--> RJ Young FOX Sports National College Football Analyst <!--> --> The Buckeyes are flirting with becoming one of the best defenses in the history of the sport. As I wrote earlier this week, they’re making a serious case as the most dominant unit since Alabama’s 2011 squad — a team that allowed just 8.2 points per game en route to a national title. Ohio State? They’ve been even better.Through six games, the Buckeyes are giving up just 5.5 points per game, have yet to allow a red-zone touchdown, and have held every opponent to nine points or fewer. That average dropped even further Saturday night, as Ohio State gave up just nine total points in its last two games combined.What’s more: they’re just as dangerous on offense.The Buckeyes scored 42 points against Minnesota, with quarterback Julian Sayin continuing […]
India announce squads for Australia tour: Gill to lead ODIs, Surya to captain T20Is
View Comments Mumbai: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Saturday announced Team India’s squads for the upcoming tour of Australia, which includes three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and five Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) to be played in October and November. The Senior Men’s Selection Committee finalised a mix of experience and youth, signalling both continuity and experimentation ahead of a busy cricket calendar. In a notable move, Shubman Gill has been appointed as captain for the ODI series, marking a major milestone in his young career. The 25-year-old opener will lead an Indian side featuring several seasoned campaigners including Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, both of whom will provide experience and stability at the top and middle order. Shreyas Iyer, who returns from injury, has been named vice-captain, strengthening the leadership group. The ODI squad also features KL […]
Misery Index: Penn State’s woes worsen with embarrassing loss to UCLA
Whenever we talk about Penn State, there’s a macro and a micro perspective of the program. It’s not always easy to know which one should command your attention.You can step back and see that James Franklin has finished inside the top-10 five times in his 11 seasons while winning two-thirds of his Big 12 games. That’s quite good without any other context. At the same time, we all know the bad stuff too: 1-10 against Ohio State, 4-21 against top-10 opponents, constantly hitting his head on a ceiling in the most important games.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementCan’t fire him. Can’t trust him.It’s a real dilemma for Penn State’s administration. They know Franklin runs a good program and generally wins the games he’s supposed to win, that firing him would be absurdly expensive (in the $50 million range) and there’s significant risk of replacing him […]
Wellens coy on St Helens future with contract up
St Helens head coach Paul Wellens said discussions need to take place regarding his future after his side fell to a 20-12 loss in the Super League semi-finals to Hull KR.Wellens' contract is now up and no announcement has been made as to whether he will be staying or if the club will be going in another direction. He took over at the start of the 2023 season and won the World Club Challenge in his first game in charge in remarkable circumstances, beating Penrith Panthers with a golden-point drop goal.Saints then finished third due to points difference in 2023 and went out in the semi-finals after a Sam Tomkins wonder try, a distinctly poor 2024 following as they were hampered by a raft of injuries, 2025 seeing them go out at the semi-final stage again. Please use Chrome browser […]
Aventure and Minnie Hauk headline Arc showdown
It's Arc day! Don't miss a moment from Europe's premier raceday - live on Sky Sports Racing from ParisLongchamp.3.05 ParisLongchamp - Star fillies Minnie Hauk and Aventure headline Arc showdownEurope's richest race has not disappointed, with star fillies Aventure and Minnie Hauk headlining a stellar field. Aventure ran a stormer to chase home Bluestocking in this event last year and warmed up for this race with an emphatic display in the Prix Vermeille. That was a first Group 1 success, and she is sure to be in the mix under Maxime Guyon - who has opted to abandon the ride on Sosie in her favour.Minnie Hauk arrives unbeaten in four starts this summer winning the English and Irish Oaks before beating Estrange in the Yorkshire version. She could be suited by this staying test and rates a huge danger for […]
Manish, Vaishnavi clinch singles titles in 30th Fenesta Open National Tennis Championship
View Comments New Delhi: Tamil Nadu’s Manish Sureshkumar and Maharashtra’s Vaishnavi Adkar continued their winning run in 30th Fenesta Open National Tennis Championship to clinch the men’s and women’s singles titles, respectively at the DLTA Complex in New Delhi on Saturday.In the men’s singles final, Manish Sureshkumar overcame Keerthivassan Suresh 6-4, 6-2 in a two-hour contest, showing his consistency and composure under pressure.Both players began aggressively, trading early breaks of serve to level at 1-1. Manish then broke Keerthivassan's serve to go 2-1 up and consolidated to make it 3-1. Keerthivassan responded strongly, holding and breaking back to edge ahead 4-3. However, Manish lifted his game from that point, breaking his opponent's serve again to close the opening set.Carrying the momentum into the second set, the Tamil Nadu player maintained his rhythm, playing long rallies with precise groundstrokes and solid […]
Be the first to leave a comment