On Monday, July 28, a shooting took place at an office building on Park Avenue in New York City, leaving four people dead. Among the victims was an executive from Blackstone, whose headquarters are located in the building. She was identified as Wesley LePatner, a top executive at the firm. Here’s what we know about her and what happened that afternoon.
Who Was Wesley LePatner?
Wesley LePatner was a prominent real estate executive with a solid background in investment management. She held leadership positions at Blackstone, where she served as Global Head of Core+ Real Estate and as Executive Director of the Blackstone Real Estate Income Trust (BREIT). In both roles, she played an active part in strategic decision-making and oversaw large-scale investments. She was also a member of the Blackstone Real Estate Investment Committee.
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Before joining Blackstone in 2014, LePatner worked for over a decade at Goldman Sachs. There, she held several positions in the real estate division, including Managing Director of the Real Estate Investment Group within the Asset Management Division. Her experience also included roles in the Principal Investment Area and the Real Estate Investment Banking Group.
LePatner earned a degree in History from Yale University, graduating with honors and as a member of Phi Beta Kappa. Throughout her career, she was involved in several nonprofit and cultural organizations, serving on the boards of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Abraham Joshua Heschel School, the UJA Federation of New York, and the Yale University Library. She was also a member of NAREIT’s Advisory Board of Governors.
What Happened During the New York City Shooting?
On Monday, July 28, at 6:28 p.m., 911 received multiple reports of an active shooter inside the building at 345 Park Avenue, which houses the headquarters of the National Football League (NFL). Witnesses reported that the attacker arrived in a black BMW and exited the vehicle carrying an AR-15 rifle.
He entered the building’s lobby and immediately opened fire on a New York City police officer. He then sprayed the area with bullets, injuring a woman and a man before moving toward the elevators. On his way, he shot a security guard who had taken cover behind the reception desk.
The attacker continued to the 33rd floor, home to the offices of Rudin Management, where he fatally shot a woman before taking his own life.
Authorities are investigating whether the NFL was a specific target, as a three-page note was found next to the gunman’s body. The letter mentioned the league and claimed the shooter suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain condition linked to repeated head trauma. The note requested that his brain be studied after death and accused the league of concealing the risks associated with the sport.
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Who Were the Victims of the New York Shooting?
The attack left five people injured, four of whom died at the scene. The victims are:
- Didarul Islam, 36, a police officer who had been with the department for three and a half years. He had two children, and his wife is currently pregnant with their third.
- Wesley LePatner, an executive at Blackstone. She is survived by her two children.
- A man and a woman whose identities have not yet been released.
Who Was the Park Avenue Shooter in NYC?
The shooter was identified as Shane Tamura, a 27-year-old man from Las Vegas who, according to authorities, had a documented history of mental health issues, although the specific condition was not disclosed.
According to the police, Tamura—who had a legal permit to carry firearms in Nevada—is believed to have acted alone during the attack. Upon searching his vehicle, officers found a rifle case with ammunition, a loaded revolver, additional rounds and magazines, as well as a backpack and prescription medications.