USA
Blackstone executive and prominent member of NY Jewish community killed in Manhattan shooting
Wesley LePatner, 43, was on the board of the UJA and involved with the Heschel School
July 29, 2025 15:52
Wesley LePatner, 43, was on the board of the UJA and involved with the Heschel School
July 29, 2025 15:52A mass shooting in New York City on Monday claimed the lives of four people, one of whom has now been revealed to be Wesley LePatner, 43, a prominent Jewish figure and mother of two.
The incident at the Blackstone head office in Manhattan saw an armed man, named by the media as Shane Tamura, walking into the building and opening fire in the lobby. He then got on the lift and went up to the 33rd floor, opened fire again, and then turned the gun on himself, reportedly in an attempt to target the offices of the National Football League (NFL).
Surveillance footage showed him exiting a double-parked BMW just before 6.30pm carrying an M4 rifle, then marching across the plaza towards the building.
LePatner, who was married with two children, was killed as she tried to hide from the gunman behind a pillar.
As well as the four people confirmed dead, others are reported to be in hospital. Two of those killed are yet to be named but one is known to be a security guard. The third was NYPD officer Didarul Islam.
As well as her executive role at Blackstone, LePatner was a well-known figure in Manhattan’s Jewish community. She was heavily involved with the Altneu synagogue and was also a board member of UJA (United Jewish Appeal) Federation of New York and The Heschel Jewish School, where her name is now listed as “z’l” in memoriam. She received UJA's Alan C. Greenberg Young Leadership Award in 2023.
In working life, LePatner was the global head of core+ real estate and CEO of Blackstone Real Estate Income Trust, one of the world’s largest investment firms.
Blackstone said in a statement: "Wesley was a beloved member of the Blackstone family and will be sorely missed.
"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. We are also saddened by the loss of the other innocent victims as well, including brave security personnel and NYPD.”
A proud mother, LePatner once posted online, praising the company for a "take your kids to work day". She wrote: "So grateful to Blackstone for hosting a fantastic 'Take Your Kids to Work Day' last week, giving my son and others in the next generation the opportunity to learn about the amazing work happening at 345 Park.
"Accompanying my own parents to their offices back in the ‘90s is a core memory of mine — watching them seamlessly balance demanding professional careers with our family life was truly inspiring and showed me that anything is possible with dedication and determination."
LePatner was also a devoted wife and publicly spoke about how she "couldn't do any of it" without her husband, to whom she had been married for nearly 20 years.
"I couldn’t do any of it without my husband who has an equally demanding career."
LePatner’s friend Avital Chizhik-Goldschmidt paid tribute to LePatner, writing: “Broken. Our dear friend, mentor, community member and builder Wesley LePatner was killed in yesterday’s shooting. Daughter, wife, mother, leader in so many ways. The kindest & sharpest human being. A nightmare that we can’t wake up from. No words. Holding her family in our aching hearts.”
Police are currently investigating the motive behind the shooting. A note was found on the suspected shooter that showed he had some grievances with the NFL. The NFL head office is based in the same office block.
New York Mayor Eric Adams said: “We’re still investigating, this is relatively new.” He is believed to have grievances due to a head injury.
To get more news, click here to sign up for our free daily newsletter.