CNN is facing serious backlash after anchor Erin Burnett described the suspected Park Avenue mass shooter as “possibly white” during live coverage of the tragic events that unfolded in New York City on July 28.
The shooter, identified as Shane D. Tamura, opened fire at 345 Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan. Four people were killed, including an NYPD officer. Another victim remains in critical condition. Tamura later died by suicide.
Even before officials released full details, CNN’s Burnett made a now-controversial comment about Tamura’s race.
Joined by CNN’s chief law enforcement analyst John Miller, Burnett said the suspect was “possibly white” based on early surveillance footage.
CNN just released their new White Male action figure pic.twitter.com/rRxBsQUH6Y
— erias (@xerias_x) July 29, 2025
That comment set off a firestorm online.
Critics pointed out that the NYPD’s own early reports said Tamura may have appeared “possibly Middle Eastern.” Security footage also showed a man with darker hair and complexion; not someone most would describe as white.
Many viewers on X accused CNN of pushing a racial narrative that didn’t match the facts.
Pattern of Jumping the Gun?
This isn’t the first time major news outlets have been accused of making assumptions about a suspect’s race before all the facts are in.
In past cases, networks have rushed to identify suspects as white even when that wasn’t accurate.
Critics argue that this reflects a media bias that leans into racial narratives (especially if the shooter is believed to be white) but quickly backs off or goes silent when the suspect turns out to be a minority.
Defenders and Doubters
Some media defenders say Burnett only said “possibly white” and was working with blurry early footage. They argue it wasn’t a definitive statement.
Others aren’t buying it. They say if the footage was unclear, why mention race at all?
This moment reignites a long-running debate about how race is handled in newsrooms, especially during high-stakes, breaking news situations.
Many Americans are frustrated with what feels like selective reporting.
As of Tuesday afternoon, neither Burnett nor CNN had issued a correction or clarification. That silence has only made the controversy worse.
What’s the Real Story?
While the conversation around media bias continues, some say the bigger focus should be on the tragedy itself.
Four lives were lost. A police officer was killed in the line of duty. One more person is fighting for their life. Families are grieving.
Instead of staying focused on the victims, critics say networks like CNN have once again turned the spotlight on racial politics.
The media plays a powerful role in shaping public opinion. That’s why getting the facts right – especially when lives are lost – matters more than ever.
For many Americans, this is just one more example of why trust in the mainstream press keeps sinking.
A 2024 Gallup poll showed only 32% of Americans say they trust the media to report the news “fully, accurately, and fairly.”
Among conservatives, that number drops to just 11%.
As this story unfolds, the American people are watching – and we shouldn’t be afraid to speak up when the media gets it wrong.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
