Prominent Jewish leader among victims in Midtown Manhattan mass shooting- leaves behind a husband and 2 children

According to authorities, the gunman—identified as 27-year-old Shane Devon Tamura of Las Vegas—opened fire, killing four individuals and injuring a fifth before turning the weapon on himself.

By Jewish Breaking News

Jewish communities across New York City are mourning the loss of Wesley LePatner, a prominent leader and philanthropist, who was among the victims killed in a mass shooting Monday evening at 345 Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan.

LePatner, 43, was a senior executive at Blackstone Inc., serving as global head of Core+ Real Estate and CEO of the Blackstone Real Estate Income Trust.

She was also deeply involved in the Jewish communal world, serving on the boards of the UJA-Federation of New York and The Heschel School. In 2023, she received UJA’s Alan C. Greenberg Young Leadership Award in recognition of her service.

She was an attendee at the Altneu synagogue in Manhattan. LePatner is survived by her husband Evan and 2 children.

The shooting erupted at approximately 5:40 p.m. Monday inside the prestigious office building, which houses major firms including Blackstone and the headquarters of the National Football League.

According to authorities, the gunman—identified as 27-year-old Shane Devon Tamura of Las Vegas—opened fire, killing four individuals and injuring a fifth before turning the weapon on himself.

Among the dead was NYPD officer Didarul Islam, 36, who was working a paid security detail for the building while off duty. Officer Islam, a nearly four-year veteran of the department, was wearing his NYPD uniform at the time of the attack.

His wife, who is eight months pregnant with their third child, was reportedly notified shortly after the incident.

The identities of the other two deceased victims have not yet been released. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell confirmed that one of the league’s employees had been seriously injured in the shooting and is currently in stable condition.

While police have not yet determined a clear motive, New York City Mayor Eric Adams said investigators are reviewing a note left by the gunman that mentioned chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain condition linked to repeated head trauma and commonly associated with football players.

“We’re still investigating—this is relatively new,” Adams said at a press conference. “There’s no more than just a note at this time, and as you indicated, he talked about CTE.”

The NYPD and FBI are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting, including Tamura’s background and any possible connections to the victims or the NFL.

Communal leaders, colleagues, and friends expressed shock and devastation at LePatner’s death. “Her loss is immeasurable,” said one UJA-Federation board member. “Wesley was not just a leader in business and philanthropy—she was a friend, a mother, and a force for good in this world.”