CNN anchor Erin Burnett is facing backlash online after suggesting during live coverage that the Midtown Manhattan mass shooter was “possibly white” — a statement critics say was based on nothing more than a blurry surveillance image and biased assumptions.
Burnett made the remark Monday evening, just hours after 27-year-old Shane Tamura opened fire inside a skyscraper at 345 Park Avenue, killing four people — including NYPD Officer Didarul Islam, 36 — before turning the gun on himself.
“They do know what he looks like. Male, possibly white, mustache, sunglasses,” Burnett said during the breaking news segment.
“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
Photo Contradicted On-Air Description
The security footage Burnett referenced, which quickly circulated online, showed Tamura walking casually toward the building entrance in broad daylight, AR-15 rifle in hand. Many viewers noted that Tamura is black, not “white” as CNN claimed.
Early police chatter even described the shooter as possibly Middle Eastern, though no official racial identification was confirmed at the time.
Critics Accuse CNN of Narrative-Driven Reporting
Online reaction to Burnett’s comment was swift and fierce.
“He may be a bunch of different things — basically anything BUT white,” one user posted on X.
“CNN should be shut down. They have not reported a truthful story in what seems like forever,” wrote another.
Other commenters called out the irrelevance of race, arguing that mainstream media continues to inject race into tragedies when it serves a particular narrative.
NYPD: Shooter Had Mental Health History
According to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, Tamura entered the Blackstone and NFL HQ building just before 6:30 p.m., immediately gunning down Officer Islam before killing three civilians and barricading himself inside.
Authorities confirmed Tamura had a documented mental health history.
