2 Jewish Women Identified as Victims of Skyscraper Shooting

Among the four victims of Monday’s horrific mass shooting in a Midtown skyscraper were two Jewish women; Wesley LePatner and Julia Hyman, who authorities say were not the intended targets.

A senior managing director at Blackstone, Wesley LePatner, 43, was a well-known figure in both the finance world and New York’s Modern Orthodox community. A member of The Altneu shul, the Yale graduate served as the Global Head of Core+ Real Estate and CEO of Blackstone Real Estate Income Trust (BREIT). Before joining Blackstone in 2014, she had spent over a decade at Goldman Sachs.
LePatner was also deeply committed to philanthropy, serving on the boards of the UJA-Federation of New York, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and a private school.

“We are heartbroken to share that our colleague, Wesley LePatner, was among those who lost their lives in the tragic incident at 345 Park Avenue,” Blackstone said in a statement. “Words cannot express the devastation we feel. Wesley was a beloved member of the Blackstone family and will be sorely missed.” The company added, “She was brilliant, passionate, warm, generous, and deeply respected within our firm and beyond. She embodied the best of Blackstone. Our prayers are with her husband, children and family.”

Julia Hyman, 27, was  a 2020 Cornell University graduate, was an associate at Rudin Management, the company that owns the 345 Park Avenue building. She was killed on the 33rd floor.

While withholding her name at her family’s request, the company mourned her loss. “The Rudin family and everyone at our company are devastated by yesterday’s senseless tragedy,” the statement read. “Our thoughts and prayers are with those injured and lost last night, including our cherished Rudin colleague, a brave New York City police officer, a beloved lobby security guard and an employee at a tenant firm.”
The statement concluded, “As New Yorkers, we stand shoulder to shoulder in the face of this hatred, we grieve with the families and loved ones of those lost, and we pray for the full recovery of those injured.”

The gunman, identified as 37-year-old Shane Tamura, drove from Las Vegas with an assault rifle, intending to attack the NFL offices located in the skyscraper.

According to Mayor Eric Adams, Tamura took the wrong elevator bank, leading to the deadly rampage on the 33rd floor before he fatally shot himself.

Tamura was described by officials as having a “documented mental health history.”

The other two victims were NYPD Officer Didarul Islam, 36, and 46-year-old security guard Aland Etienne.

An NFL employee who was also shot was seriously injured but was reported to be in stable condition. The building remained closed Tuesday as authorities continued their investigation.