CNN says ‘possibly white’ active shooter on the loose – there’s just one problem

Renewed accusations of bias flew after CNN covered an active shooter situation in Midtown Manhattan, repeatedly and erroneously describing the man as “possibly white.”

Boldly pushing a motto of “Facts First,” CNN instead faced criticism for allegedly attempting to drum up a narrative Monday after a man entered a high-rise in New York City, fatally shooting four people before reportedly taking his own life. Parroting what an analyst claimed, CNN’s Erin Burnett repeatedly shared a description of the “possibly white” suspect — a point readily refuted by images of the since-deceased 27-year-old Shane Tamura.

“They do not know who he is,” CNN chief law enforcement and intelligence analyst John Miller said during live coverage. “They know he is a male, possibly white, he’s wearing sunglasses, and he appears to have a mustache. And that picture has been distributed to every police officer in New York City.”

Burnett went on to share that description multiple times, including while seeking further details from a reporter when she said, “They do know what he looks like. Male, possibly white, mustache, sunglasses.”

CNN AT IT AGAIN!

Active shooter on Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan
Is ” most likely a white guy “!

CNN is out of their minds!

Does he look white to y’all!? pic.twitter.com/hpdAyBy2P6

— Jakey (@JacobBaker613) July 28, 2025

“They do know what he looks like. Male, possibly white, mustache, sunglasses.”

CNN’s Erin Burnett claims the active shooter in New York City is a “possibly white” male. pic.twitter.com/1qlOoRBAEx

— Thomas Hern (@ThomasMHern) July 28, 2025

During a press conference conducted by New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) and Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, the latter described Tamura as being from Las Vegas, Nevada, and having a concealed carry permit as well as a history of mental health problems.

“According to our law enforcement partners in Las Vegas, Mr. Tamura has a documented mental health history. His motives are still under investigation, and we are working to understand why he targeted this particular location,” she explained.

@NYCMayor and @NYPDPC provide an update on a shooting in Manhattan. https://t.co/quA9b0yQNd

— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) July 29, 2025

CNN later reported that a law enforcement official had indicated papers were discovered on the perpetrator’s body detailing grievances with the NFL, which has offices in the building. In particular, the documents called out the football leagues’ handling of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a head injury-induced brain disease. The perpetrator was said to have played football.

An excerpt from the documents was said to read, “Terry Long football gave me CTE and it caused me to drink a gallon of antifreeze.”

“You can’t go against the NFL, they’ll squash you,” he continued and included a plea to study his brain.

Included among the four victims of the attack, the NYPD identified Officer Didarul Islam, a father whose wife was expecting to give birth to their third child in the coming weeks. The immigrant from Bangladesh was working off-duty as security for Rudin Management Company in his NYPD uniform at the time, the New York Post reported.

“Police Officer Didarul Islam represented the very best of our department,” read a statement from the department as a dignified transfer of his remains was conducted hours after the attack. “He was protecting New Yorkers from danger when his life was tragically cut short today. We join in prayer during this time of incomprehensible pain. We will forever honor his legacy.”

Police Officer Didarul Islam represented the very best of our department.

He was protecting New Yorkers from danger when his life was tragically cut short today.

We join in prayer during this time of incomprehensible pain. We will forever honor his legacy.#FidelisAdMortem pic.twitter.com/vkBZetsz2N

— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) July 29, 2025

Officer Didarul Islam died as he lived, a hero and protector of New York City. We will never forget you. pic.twitter.com/vNYpjpNDTd

— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) July 29, 2025

Meanwhile, the slams against CNN continued to pour in, especially in light of the lacking national coverage related to a brutal beating of two white victims in Cincinnati, Ohio, by a mob described as “mostly black assailants.”

The woman is white. And was attacked by a group of thugs. No media coverage. This dude is the shooter in Manhattan and is defined as possibly white.

Cnn is Anti White. The bias is there.

This is our media in America, folks.

Propaganda. Something needs to be done. This is… pic.twitter.com/dycs505W7Q

— Sassafrass84 (@Sassafrass_84) July 29, 2025

Erin Burnett literally described this guy as “possibly White.” Will she apologize? Correct herself? Show any journalistic integrity or nah?@ErinBurnett ?? pic.twitter.com/G53ieqOwZq

— Joe Pags Pagliarulo (@JoeTalkShow) July 29, 2025

You don’t hate the media enough pic.twitter.com/pJcS68Y2b7

— The Tradition Rebellion (@trad_rebel) July 29, 2025

He looks Blasian.

— Mindy MF Robinson (@iheartmindy) July 29, 2025

CNN just called the NY sho*ter a “white man”.

Just like the time they called George Zimmerman a “white hispanic”.

All the Media does is lie. pic.twitter.com/wcD6s9ve0n

— C3 (@C_3C_3) July 28, 2025

Fixed it for them. pic.twitter.com/MAKowbUMoE

— Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) July 29, 2025

Staff Writer

Native of Brooklyn, NY, Kevin Haggerty is a graduate of Hunter College where he studied Cultural Anthropology and Geography. An avid reader and truth seeker, he currently resides in Texas with his wife and their dog and, when he isn’t researching current events and their impacts, you’ll find him spending time with friends and family or working on his next novel.

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