Penny Lancaster issues heartbreaking tribute to NYPD officer after New York City shooting leaves five dead: ‘Hearts go out!’
Penny Lancaster penned a heartbreaking tribute after an NYPD police officer and four others were killed in a horror shooting yesterday in Manhattan, New York.
Suspect, 27-year-old Shane Tamura, stormed a midtown office block on Monday evening, housing firms including Blackstone and KPMG, before opening fire in the lobby and heading to the 33rd floor.
Five people were killed in the attack on 345 Park Avenue, including New York City police officer Didarul Islam, 36, who was operating as building security. The other four victims are yet to be identified.
The gunman was later found dead with a “self-inflicted” wound and with more ammunition found in his car, police reported.
Loose Woman commentator, Penny Lancaster, 54, dedicated a heartfelt tribute to the five individuals, including the New York City Police Department officer who died during the attack.
Taking to social media, she wrote on her Instagram stories: “Our hearts go out to those victims who lost their lives to a shooter in New York City, including an NYPD police officer.”
She concluded the sentiment with a prayer hand emoji, putting the words over a picture of a black NYPD baseball cap.
The broadcaster has over 230k followers on the site, garnering a huge audience.
Islam, an expectant father of three, was working as the building security before he was shot dead in the attack.
A post on the New York Police Department (NYPD) X account said Islam “represented the very best of our department”, and “he was protecting New Yorkers from danger when his life was tragically cut short today.”
In a press conference on Monday evening, the city’s Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said: “He was doing the job that we asked him to do. He put himself in harm’s way. He made the ultimate sacrifice.”
The mayor also met with Islam’s pregnant wife and two young children after the horrific attack later in the day, and reflected on the scale of loss for the family.
“This was his dad’s only son,” she said, “I think about Jordan, my child, and it is unimaginable to experience a loss of this magnitude.
“He died as he lived – a hero.”
New York Mayor Eric Adams added to the praise for the late officer, saying he was “doing what he does best… saving lives”.
“He was protecting New Yorkers”.
The assailant was believed to have travelled cross-country from Las Vegas, Nevada, to New York via car to carry out the attack.
Tamura can be seen on building CCTV parking a BMW outside, before openly carrying an M4 rifle into the building, before reportedly “immediately” opening fire.
Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis, representative of parts of Brooklyn and Staten Island, said she was “heartbroken” to hear about the attack perpetrated by a “madman”, and is praying for those who remain “critically injured”.
Congressman Nick Lalota, who represents the suburb of Long Island, posted an image of the New York police insignia with the caption “God Bless the NYPD”.
According to Las Vegas officials, the suspect has a “documented mental health history”.
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said “His motives are still under investigation, and we are working to understand why he targeted this particular location.”