Blackstone Executive Wesley LePatner Among Victims in Deadly Midtown Manhattan Shooting
Blackstone has confirmed the death of Wesley LePatner, its Global Head of Core+ Real Estate and CEO of Blackstone Real Estate Income Trust (BREIT), in the mass shooting at 345 Park Avenue on July 28, 2025. LePatner joined Blackstone in 2014 after a distinguished tenure at Goldman Sachs, and held a degree from Yale University; she was widely respected for her leadership, intellect, generosity, and community involvement, serving on boards such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art and UJA‑Federation of New York.
In its public statement, Blackstone described her as “brilliant, passionate, warm, generous… embodying the best of Blackstone,” extending heartfelt prayers to her husband, children, and family
🧨 The Attack: Timeline & Motive
At approximately 6:28 p.m. on July 28, surveillance footage captured 27‑year‑old Shane Devon Tamura wielding an M4-style rifle as he exited a double‑parked BMW and entered 345 Park Avenue. He immediately opened fire in the lobby, fatally wounded NYPD Officer Didarul Islam (working off‑duty security), and killed a civilian woman
Tamura then rode an elevator to the 33rd floor—where he apparently intended to target the NFL headquarters—but used the wrong elevator bank and reached Rudin Management offices instead, continuing his assault before taking his own life.
A note recovered near the scene expressed grievances about the NFL and linked Tamura’s mental illness to suspected chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) from playing football—though he played only at the high school level. His vehicle, found nearby, contained additional weapons and ammunition, but no explosives .
📋 Victims and Casualties
Four individuals were confirmed killed in the rampage:
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NYPD Officer Didarul Islam, a married father of two young children, with a third on the way, hailed as a heroWesley LePatner, senior Blackstone executive
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Two unidentified civilians who died in the attack
An NFL employee was seriously injured but survived. Another civilian remained in critical condition; several others sustained minor injuries while fleeing or seeking shelter .
🏛 Institutional & Community Response
Blackstone leadership—including CEO Stephen Schwarzman and President Jon Gray—called it “the worst day in the firm’s 40‑year history”. The firm closed its New York office for the following day and convened a company-wide Zoom meeting to address grief internally .
Mayor Eric Adams ordered flags lowered at city buildings in honor of Officer Islam and other victims and promised continued support for affected families. He emphasized cooperation with federal agencies, including the FBI, in the ongoing investigation The NFL announced heightened security measures at its Manhattan offices and offered grief counseling to employees.
🧾 Incident Summary Table
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date & Time | July 28, 2025 — ~6:28 p.m. |
| Location | 345 Park Avenue, Midtown Manhattan (Blackstone & NFL HQ) |
| Shooter | Shane Devon Tamura, 27, Las Vegas resident; armed with M4 rifle |
| Victims | Officer Didarul Islam; Wesley LePatner; two civilians; NFL employee injured |
| Motive | Suspected NFL grievance; CTE-related mental health note |
| Aftermath | Shooter died by suicide; investigation ongoing with FBI and NYPD |
| Impact | Blackstone office closure; building lockdowns; crisis counseling activated |
🕯️ Closing Reflection
The death of Wesley LePatner—an esteemed leader in real estate finance and community advocate—deals a profound loss to Blackstone and the broader business world. Her warmth, intelligence, and generosity were deeply respected inside and outside the firm. Alongside Officer Islam’s heroic sacrifice and the other victims’ senseless deaths, this tragedy has shaken corporate and public communities alike.
As the city mourns and the investigation continues, many are calling for renewed efforts in mental health support, workplace safety, and sensible gun reform. The legacy of the victims—especially the dedication of a devoted public servant and a beloved executive—will continue to inspire how we remember and respond to such acts of violence.