CNN anchor Erin Burnett is under scrutiny after referring to New York City mass shooter Shane Tamura as 'possibly white' during early coverage of the Midtown Manhattan attack that left four dead, including a police officer. The remark, based on initial police descriptions, sparked criticism online, with many accusing Burnett of making premature racial assumptions from unclear surveillance footage. Others argued that focusing on the shooter's race detracts from the tragedy itself.

Subsequent images and reports suggested Tamura's appearance was more ambiguous, and his precise ethnic background remains unspecified. The backlash has reignited debate over how media outlets handle race in breaking news, with some defending Burnett as simply relaying early information and others warning against the dangers of hasty assumptions. CNN has not yet issued a formal response to the controversy.