Who is Wesley LePatner? Blackstone Executive Killed by NYC Shooter Shane Tamura

The peaceful marble lobby of 345 Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan witnessed chaos when commotion broke out on Monday evening during rush hour, as people suddenly found themselves running for their lives amidst gunshots echoing through the area, and four people lying dead, including a New York City police officer and a Blackstone executive.

The 27-year-old gunman, Shane Tamura from Las Vegas, opened fire in the iconic office tower situated in the vibrant heart of the city and shot commuters before taking his own life, leaving the city grappling with the aftermath. New York City Mayor Eric Adams expressed his grief, stating, 'We lost four souls to another senseless act of gun violence.'

The Scene of the Attack

The venue, where the tragic incident occurred, is typically bustling with professionals from the finance, legal, and accounting sectors. Blackstone, a prominent buyout firm with decades of influence on Wall Street, is a significant tenant within the building. Other notable occupants include the NFL and the accounting firm KPMG.

Who Is Shane Tamura?

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch identified the shooter as 27-year-old Shane Tamura, who was from Las Vegas. She stated that he was armed with an M4 rifle, which is a compact variant of an AR-15.

As of Monday night, police had not determined Tamura's motive or why he chose to target that particular commercial office building. Police noted that Tamura, 27, had a documented history of mental illness.

He had arrived in New York City on Monday afternoon, having driven his black BMW across the country, passing through Colorado on Saturday and then Nebraska and Iowa on Sunday.

At approximately 6:30 p.m., during the evening rush, he double-parked on Park Avenue. Police reported that he then exited his vehicle, holding the rifle in his right hand, and immediately began shooting upon entering the building's lobby.

The Victims of the Tragedy

Commissioner Tisch stated that Tamura first shot and killed 36-year-old NYPD Officer Didarul Islam, an immigrant from Bangladesh. Officer Islam was a married father of two, and his wife is expecting their third child.

Police reports indicate that Tamura then opened fire throughout the lobby, hitting a woman who was seeking shelter behind a pillar and a security guard who had taken cover behind a desk.

The Slain Blackstone Executive: Wesley LePatner

Among the four people killed in Monday evening's mass shooting at a Manhattan high-rise was Wesley LePatner, a senior executive at global investment giant Blackstone Inc. Her profile on the company's official website states that LePatner served as both the Global Head of Core+ Real Estate and the Chief Executive Officer of Blackstone Real Estate.

LePatner, 42, joined Blackstone in 2014 and quickly rose through the ranks to lead one of the firm's largest divisions. Before her time at Blackstone, she dedicated over a decade to Goldman Sachs, where she most recently held the position of Managing Director within the Real Estate Investment Group of their Asset Management Division.

Her career at Goldman Sachs also included roles in the Real Estate Principal Investment Area and the Real Estate Investment Banking Group, where she initially started.

'We are heartbroken to share that our colleague, Wesley LePatner, was among those who lost their lives in the tragic incident. Wesley was a beloved member of the Blackstone family and will be sorely missed,' Blackstone said in a statement.

Further Casualties and the Shooter's Path

According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, one of these individuals noted that other Blackstone employees are currently in the hospital, receiving treatment.

The gunman then took the elevator to the 33rd floor, which houses the real-estate management firm Rudin Management. There, he killed another individual before shooting himself in the chest.

The building itself is owned by the Rudin family, a prominent name in New York's real estate sector. Rudin Management did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

First Responders and Aftermath

An employee reported that Blackstone staff exchanged messages via email and Microsoft Teams, warning of a shooter in the lobby and advising colleagues to avoid going downstairs. Some employees took cover by barricading themselves in offices and bathrooms.

Russ Grote, a spokesperson for KPMG US, conveyed his condolences, stating, 'Our hearts go out to the victims of this horrific act and their families. We are incredibly grateful for the bravery of building security and law enforcement.'

This shooting occurred just five blocks from where UnitedHealthcare executive Brian Thompson was fatally shot late last year, an incident for which Ivy League graduate Luigi Mangione has been charged with murder.

NFL Employee Among Those Injured

An NFL employee was among those injured in Monday's shooting, according to a letter sent to league staff by Commissioner Roger Goodell. Goodell stated that the employee sustained serious injuries but is now in stable condition at a hospital.

In response to the incident, Goodell instructed the league's New York-based employees to work remotely on Tuesday, noting it's understandable if they choose to take the day off instead.

Inside Tamura's car, police discovered a rifle case containing rounds, a loaded revolver, additional ammunition and magazines, and prescription medication belonging to him. Court documents also show that Tamura faced a misdemeanour trespassing charge in Nevada in 2023 and had previously held a private investigator's license.

The shooting has left the city's business community shaken, particularly those working in the densely populated Midtown district, which is known for its concentration of finance, legal, and accounting professionals. The building, owned by the prominent Rudin real estate family, stands as a landmark in Manhattan's commercial corridor.

As New York City once again confronts the reality of gun violence in its midst, the loss of these four lives serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of such tragedies. The investigation continues as authorities work to understand what drove a young man to commit such a devastating act in the heart of Manhattan.