CNN Host Under Fire For Absurd Comments On NYC Shooter: ‘Possibly White’

CNN jumped the gun, so to speak, when anchor Erin Burnett surmised that a shooter in midtown Manhattan on Monday night was “possibly white.”

The flippant suggestion sent conservative social media users into attack mode, forcing the network to quickly backtrack on rudimentary intel about Shane Tamura, a former high school football star of black and Japanese descent. He is believed to have been searching for the NFL’s headquarters when he mistakenly entered the offices of a financial management firm, killing five before taking his own life.

Burnett had been describing still images of Tamura, 27, holding a rifle while entering the 345 Park Avenue skyscraper.

“Sunglasses, mustache, male, possibly white,” she said as the image of Tamura was shown to viewers.

Almost instantly, social media users were quick to denounce Burnett and note the unmistakable skin color of Tamura, who had a darker complexion. Others said the shooter’s race was “irrelevant” and blasted Burnett for suggesting he was white.

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The controversy comes as authorities race to piece together the motive for Tamura’s rampage, which took place on the 33rd floor of the high-rise office building. A suicide note found by his body stated that he had been searching for the NFL’s headquarters on the fifth floor.

Appearing on a local Fox affiliate, New York Mayor Eric Adams said Tamura appeared to be suffering from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and blamed the NFL for his diagnosis.

“Terry Long football gave me CTE and it caused me to drink a gallon of antifreeze,” Tamura wrote, according to CNN. “You can’t go against the NFL, they’ll squash you.”

The young man was referring to Pittsburgh Steeler Terry Long, who died in 2006 after drinking antifreeze. An autopsy later revealed that Long was deep in the throes of CTE after decades of collegiate and professional play.

“Study my brain please I’m sorry Tell Rick I’m sorry for everything,” the note read.

Among the dead was NYPD officer Didarul Islam, a 36 year-old father of two, as well as a security guard who took cover behind a front desk. Another woman was shot and killed as she fled to hide behind an office pillar, the Daily Mail reported.