Blackstone Exec, Police Officer Among NYC Shooting Victims \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ An off-duty NYPD officer, a top Blackstone executive, and a security guard were among four people fatally shot at a Manhattan office tower. The gunman, believed to be targeting the NFL’s headquarters, died at the scene. The victims were remembered for their heroism, leadership, and lasting community impact.
Quick Looks:
- Four killed in midtown shooting, including NYPD officer and Blackstone executive
- Officer Didarul Islam was working security at the tower
- Victim Wesley LePatner led real estate at Blackstone
- Security officer Aland Etienne also killed; Rudin employee unnamed
- Gunman Shane Tamura believed to be targeting NFL offices
- Tamura left note about brain injury from football
- Islam remembered as a father, hero, and community figure
- LePatner praised as a trailblazer and beloved leader
- Etienne hailed by union as a “New York hero”
- Authorities believe shooter had CTE-related grievance against NFL
Deep Look:
New York City was left reeling this week after a deadly shooting unfolded inside a midtown Manhattan office tower, killing four people and injuring several others before the gunman took his own life. The victims included an off-duty NYPD officer, a senior Blackstone executive, a security guard, and an employee of Rudin Management, the company that owns the building. Authorities are now working to understand the motive behind what appears to be a targeted act of violence connected to the gunman’s personal grievances with the NFL, which also has its headquarters in the tower.
The incident occurred Monday at 345 Park Avenue, a 45-story commercial skyscraper that houses major corporate tenants, including the National Football League (NFL) and global investment firm Blackstone. Police later identified the shooter as Shane Tamura, a 27-year-old from Las Vegas. Officials say Tamura may have been attempting to confront the NFL over a neurological condition he believed he developed while playing high school football.
Investigators recovered a note from Tamura referencing chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)—a degenerative brain disease linked to repeated head trauma in contact sports. Although CTE can only be diagnosed posthumously, Tamura apparently believed he was suffering from it and blamed the NFL, despite never playing at the college or professional level.
Timeline of the Attack
Surveillance footage showed Tamura exiting a double-parked BMW, armed with an M4-style rifle, before entering the building’s lobby and opening fire. His first victim was Officer Didarul Islam, an off-duty NYPD officer working a corporate security detail. Tamura then continued his rampage, shooting a woman who attempted to flee, a security guard, and a Blackstone executive before ascending to the 33rd floor, where he killed a Rudin Management employee and then turned the gun on himself.
The scene quickly devolved into chaos, with workers from various offices evacuating under police direction. Witnesses described hearing rapid bursts of gunfire and barricading themselves inside offices and conference rooms for safety.
Officer Didarul Islam: A Life of Service and Sacrifice
Among the victims, the death of Officer Didarul Islam, 36, drew widespread mourning and praise across the city. A Bangladeshi immigrant who lived in the Bronx with his wife and two young sons, Islam had served in the NYPD for just over three and a half years. His wife is currently pregnant with their third child.
Islam was shot in the building’s lobby as he attempted to respond to the initial gunfire. According to Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, he acted without hesitation and placed himself directly in harm’s way.
“He was doing the job that we asked him to do. He put himself in harm’s way. He made the ultimate sacrifice. He died as he lived: a hero,” Tisch said during a press conference.
Outside Islam’s home, mourners gathered to offer condolences, many bringing food for the family. A local public school displayed a poster calling him an NYPD hero and devoted father. Members of his mosque and Bronx community spoke of his kindness and humility.
“He always smiled, always greeted me with ‘How are you, my brother?’” said Tanjim Talukdar, a fellow worshiper. “I was really shocked to see the news.”
Wesley LePatner: A Trailblazing Executive and Respected Leader
Another high-profile victim was Wesley LePatner, 43, a senior managing director at Blackstone and the CEO of the firm’s Real Estate Income Trust (BREIT). LePatner joined Blackstone in 2014 after more than a decade at Goldman Sachs, where she also specialized in real estate investments. A summa cum laude graduate of Yale University, she held a bachelor’s degree in history and served on several prestigious boards, including The Metropolitan Museum of Art and her children’s Jewish day school.
In a statement, Blackstone described her as brilliant, passionate, and deeply admired—a rising star in the finance world who mentored countless young professionals and led with both intellect and compassion.
“She was the most loving wife, mother, daughter, sister and relative. To so many others, she was a beloved, fiercely loyal and caring friend, and an extraordinarily talented professional and colleague,” her family wrote in a statement. “Our hearts are broken.”
Tributes poured in from across the business world. Author Bruce Feiler, who worked alongside her on a Yale alumni board, called LePatner “effortless and impressive,” and said she represented the kind of leader society needs in uncertain times.
Aland Etienne: A Guardian of the Workplace
Also killed was Aland Etienne, a security officer who had worked at the building since 2019. He had also briefly worked there in 2017. Licensed as an unarmed guard, Etienne was remembered as a quiet, dependable figure who ensured the safety of tenants and visitors daily.
Manny Pastreich, president of the Service Employees International Union Local 32BJ, which represents security and commercial workers in New York, called Etienne’s death a tragic reminder of the risks security personnel face.
“Every time a security officer puts on their uniform, they put their lives on the line,” Pastreich said. “Their contributions are essential, though often unrecognized. Aland Etienne is a New York hero. We will remember him as such.”
The union is providing grief counseling and legal assistance to other workers affected by the shooting and is working closely with police and Rudin Management during the ongoing investigation.
Rudin Management Employee Killed
The fourth victim, an employee of Rudin Management, was found dead on the 33rd floor, where the company’s offices are located. Rudin, which owns and operates the building, issued a brief statement confirming the loss of one of its employees, withholding the name at the family’s request.
“We are devastated by this loss and are providing all necessary support to the employee’s family and our staff,” the company said.
A Targeted Attack?
Authorities believe that Tamura had intended to confront someone at the NFL’s offices, possibly in connection to his claims of CTE and neurological damage from past football experiences. However, he entered the wrong elevator bank, which may have prevented him from reaching his intended destination.
Mayor Eric Adams said a note found in Tamura’s car mentioned a grievance against the NFL. Tamura reportedly played high school football in California, though he had no known connections to the NFL or professional leagues.
Despite the absence of a criminal history or warning signs, police recovered a cache of weapons and ammunition from Tamura’s vehicle, suggesting that the attack was premeditated and calculated.
Healing and Moving Forward
The building, located in one of Manhattan’s busiest commercial corridors, has since reopened with heightened security. Tenants have resumed limited operations, and building management, in coordination with the NYPD and SEIU, is providing support for workers still shaken by the trauma.
The deaths of Islam, LePatner, Etienne, and the unnamed Rudin employee have reignited conversations around workplace security, mental health, and America’s ongoing struggle with gun violence. For their families, friends, and colleagues, the losses are immeasurable.
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