Ex-NYPD cop Bill Stanton blames 'bystander apathy’ for NYC shooting, Internet claps back 'you go first’

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: In the wake of a horrific mass shooting in Midtown Manhattan that left five people dead, including the gunman, a Fox News guest is stirring controversy after claiming the tragedy was partly caused by "bystander apathy".

During coverage on 'Hannity', retired NYPD officer Bill Stanton said “bystander apathy” allowed the deadly rampage to unfold unchecked.

Authorities identified the shooter as Shane Tamura, 27, of Las Vegas, who opened fire with an AR-15 rifle inside 345 Park Avenue on Monday evening. Among the victims was an off-duty police officer. Tamura later turned the weapon on himself.

Retired NYPD officer blames ‘bystander apathy’ for deadly NYC shooting

“We see it again,” Stanton told host Sean Hannity, adding, “And there’s talk of more police officers. There’s talk of, you know, more omnipresence… But we need to deputize ourselves. Sean, let’s take you as an example. My understanding is you train really hard in MMA. I’m guessing you train with your firearm, as well,” to which Hannity replied, “I do.” 

“We each need to empower ourselves not to be a victim,” he continued, adding “Bystander apathy is what occurred, is the term used as this gentleman walked– this cretin walked with a long gun down the street. No one said anything. I’d be curious to see how many 9-1-1 calls were made. We need to empower ourselves, deputize ourselves.”

“If you would’ve seen that person, I guess you would’ve acted a lot different, as would have I. These businesses that have security in the lobbies, there’s a knee-jerk reaction. They may enhance it, but they do a cost-benefit analysis, and it’ll go right back to the same,” Stanton said.

Stanton didn’t hold back as he turned his attention to broader societal shifts, blaming the rise in violent incidents on a loss of respect for law enforcement and growing leniency in how public safety is handled.

“Only when we respect police officers, when respect is given back to the police officers, when we end this ‘defund the police,’ when we end the sending in therapists or counsellors, will people respect — and yes, be slightly afraid that I might get taken out before I do anything,” Stanton said.

He argued that, “We see this perpetrator, this sicko, as well as criminals all over Manhattan, all over the country, not respecting the law, feeling they can do what they want. Only when we collectively push back, fight back, and act will this lesson hopefully stop.”

Hannity highlighted the sentiment, reinforcing the need for alertness among everyday people.

“Yeah, it’s sad,” Hannity responded. “I do think people need situational awareness. And you know, if you see something, say something. Make the phone call. Call the police. Try and get on top of it.”

Bill Stanton slammed for blaming public during NYC shooting

Former NYPD officer and TV personality Bill Stanton is facing backlash online after he criticized New York City bystanders for failing to intervene during a recent active shooter situation, calling it a case of “bystander apathy.” But the internet wasn’t having it.

Stanton’s remarks quickly drew mockery and outrage from users across social media, many of whom pointed out the absurdity of expecting unarmed civilians to confront a shooter.

“You go first Bill, we’re right behind you—behind this marble pillar, specifically,” one user quipped.

“Is he saying he would confront a guy holding an AR-15? Not a chance,” another wrote.

“The only children around here are you and your friends,” one user shot back.

Others mocked the contradiction in Stanton's stance, “Guest: Bystander apathy is what occurred… this gentleman walked—this cretin walked—with a long gun down the street. LMFAO! Isn’t this what you want? People open carrying? JFC, this dude is something else,” one person commented.

“Untrained civilians confronting an armed shooter isn’t bravery—it’s a suicide mission,” another user wrote. “It’s law enforcement’s job to protect, not random people with grocery bags.”

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online