Wesley LePatner. Credit :
Kelly Taub/BFA/Shutterstock
- Blackstone confirmed that Wesley LePatner, an executive at the company, died in the New York City mass shooting on July 28
- A mom of two, she chaired the Women’s Initiative at Blackstone
- She is one of four fatal victims. The shooter, identified as Shane Devon Tamura, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound
Blackstone confirmed that one of its executives was among those killed in the July 28 mass shooting at the company’s Park Avenue office building in New York City.
In a statement shared with PEOPLE, the global investment firm said that Wesley LePatner was killed in the attack, which left three other innocent victims dead including off-duty NYPD officer Didarul Islam and injured other people.
“Words cannot express the devastation we feel. 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,” the statement read. “She embodied the best of Blackstone. Our prayers are with her husband, children and family.”
The statement continued: “We are also saddened by the loss of the other innocent victims as well, including brave security personnel and NYPD.”
Police respond to the shooting that occurred at 345 Park Ave. Liao Pan/China News Service/VCG via Getty
LePatner was in the lobby when she was fatally struck, per The Wall Street Journal. The outlet reported that “other Blackstone employees are in the hospital receiving treatment.”
Company employees reportedly communicated via email and Microsoft Teams, warning each other about the shooter.
According to her biography on Blackstone’s website, LePatner was the Global Head of Core+ Real Estate and the Chief Executive Officer of Blackstone Real Estate Income Trust (BREIT) and had been with the company since 2014.
A Yale graduate, she was elected to the role of Elective Trustee at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in February 2025.
“Wesley’s deep expertise and knowledge will be an invaluable addition to the Board, and we look forward to working with her to advance the Museum’s mission,” board co-chairs Candace K. Beinecke and Hamilton “Tony” E. James said in a statement shared at the time.
According to reporting by The Real Deal, LePatner was a mom of two.
Wesley LePatner in October 2018. Madison Voelkel/BFA/Shutterstock
As chair of Blackstone’s Women’s Initiative, she advocated for a more diverse and inclusive workforce.”
Speaking to Leaders Magazine, she said that it was “extremely critical” that Blackstone prioritize diversity.
“As investors, our mission is to see around corners and recognize patterns. Having the most diverse perspectives around the table making decisions is critical to our investment process. And it’s not just about getting people to the table; once they join us, we want to ensure they are included and have a voice,” she said.
She added, “For example, when I first came to Blackstone, my direct manager did a great job of holding me accountable to speak up and share my ideas, while giving me constructive feedback in those settings which in turn helped me grow professionally.”
Four people died in the shooting, which occurred at the office building that houses the NFL and other companies alongside Blackstone, according to NBC News.
The shooter, identified as Shane Devon Tamura, of Las Vegas, by the New York Police Department, also died via a self-inflicted gunshot wound after opening fire with an M4 rifle. Tamura shot multiple people in the lobby before taking the elevator to the 33rd floor, where he shot himself in the chest, N.Y.C. Police Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch said.
Shane Tamura. CCTV:Rudin-345ParkAvenue-Park Av/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock
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During a press conference, authorities said that Tamura had a “documented mental health issue.”
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell confirmed that an employee was “seriously injured in this attack” in a memo obtained by CNN. “He is currently in the hospital and in stable condition. NFL staff are at the hospital and we are supporting his family.”
