Former NYPD Officer Blames Bystander Apathy for Manhattan Shooting Deaths

In the aftermath of the deadly Midtown Manhattan shooting by Shane Tamura, a Fox News guest and retired NYPD officer Bill Stanton attributed part of the tragedy to "bystander apathy," criticizing the public for not intervening or reporting the suspect carrying a long gun. Stanton, who served briefly on the NYPD in the late 1980s, urged citizens to "deputize ourselves" and empower themselves to act against armed threats, citing host Sean Hannity's martial arts and firearm training as examples. He argued that increasing police presence alone is insufficient and emphasized the need for collective public action, while also condemning the "defund the police" movement and advocating for restored respect for law enforcement. Stanton criticized security measures in businesses as inadequate due to cost-benefit analyses that fail to deter such attacks. Authorities noted Tamura had a documented mental health history and targeted the NFL offices but mistakenly went to the wrong floor before opening fire. The controversy around Stanton's comments centers on the expectation that ordinary citizens confront armed individuals, a stance met with significant backlash online.