NYPD cop killed in Manhattan shooting was dad-of-two with heavily pregnant wife

The police officer shot dead when a gunman stormed a Midtown Manhattan skyscraper yesterday was married to a heavily pregnant wife and had two young sons.

The New York Police Department (NYPD) shared a picture of one of their own, Didarul Islam, who was gunned down when a 27-year-old shooter stormed a swanky office building in Midtown Manhattan at around 6.30pm local time yesterday. Suspect Shane Devon Tamura allegedly had grievances with the NFL when he barged into the skyscraper, where their offices are situated, and let off a volley of shots.

Didarul was shot at the scene and died at a hospital.Four civilians were also fatally shot and six were injured, sources said. It's understood that Tamura barricaded himself into a room and turned the gun on himself before cops could get to him.

READ MORE: Manhattan shooting UPDATES: Didarul Islam among four dead in 'pure evil' attack

New York officials have now said that father-of-two Didarul's wife was heavily pregnant, with the couple expecting their third child when he was callously gunned down.

NYPD said in a post on Twitter that he "represented the very best of our department".

"He was protecting New Yorkers from danger when his life was tragically cut short today," the department said. "We join in prayer during this time of incomprehensible pain. We will forever honour his legacy."

A man - thought to be Tamura - exited a double parked BMW with an M4 rifle and then walked toward the building on Monday evening, according to surveillance video.

He quickly opened fire on the NYPD officer as he entered the building before shooting a woman who tried to take cover, police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said at a news conference on Monday night. He then started "spraying" the lobby with gunfire.

The man went to the elevator bank and shot a security guard who was taking cover behind a security desk and also another man in the lobby, Ms Tisch said.

The man took the lift to the 33rd floor to a real estate management company and one person was shot and killed on that floor. The man then walked down a hallway and shot himself, she said.

Police identified Tamura of Las Vegas as the gunman. Tamura had a "documented mental health history," Ms Tisch said.

His vehicle had traveled across the US through Colorado on July 26 and then Nebraska and Iowa on July 27. It arrived in Columbia, New Jersey, as recently as Monday afternoon, before making it to New York City, she said.

Officers found a rifle case, a revolver, magazines and ammunition in his car, Ms Tisch said. No one answered the door to reporters at the address listed for Tamura in Las Vegas.