New York City is in shock following a tragic mass shooting in midtown Manhattan that claimed the lives of four individuals, including an NYPD officer. The Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani is garnering attention for his recent commitment to dismantle a key police unit responsible for handling riots, civil unrest, and shootings.
Mamdani, who is currently in Uganda celebrating his wedding, has previously advocated for defunding the police. However, his stance on policing has become more moderate since running for mayor.
While already a mayoral candidate, Mamdani announced in December 2024 his intention to “disband” the New York Police Department’s Strategic Response Group (SRG).
The SRG is a specialized unit within the NYPD focused on managing disorder, suppressing crime, and controlling crowds during citywide events and emergencies.
Mamdani criticized the SRG for allegedly targeting striking teamsters and pledged to eliminate the unit if elected mayor. He argued that the SRG has led to costly lawsuit settlements and violated the rights of many New Yorkers exercising their First Amendment rights.
In response to the recent shooting, Mamdani expressed his condolences and support for the victims, their families, and the injured NYPD officer.
On Monday, a lone gunman identified as Shane Tamura entered a midtown Manhattan office building and opened fire, resulting in the deaths of four individuals before taking his own life.
The victims of the shooting were identified as NYPD Officer Didarul Islam, Blackstone executive Wesley LePatner, security guard Aland Etienne, and Julia Hyman, an associate at Rudin Management.
While the motive for the shooting remains unclear, reports suggest that the gunman harbored grievances against the NFL, linking the sport to issues related to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
Mayor Eric Adams, who is seeking re-election as an independent, ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of Officer Didarul Islam and the other victims of the shooting at 345 Park Avenue.
Fox News Digital reached out to Mamdani’s campaign for comment but did not receive an immediate response.
