Crime
26-year-old Julia Hyman Killed in Midtown Manhattan Mass Shooting
NEW YORK, NY — Julia Hyman, a 26-year-old associate at Rudin Management and a 2020 graduate of Cornell University, has been identified as one of the four victims killed in Monday evening’s mass shooting at a Midtown Manhattan office tower.
Hyman was employed by Rudin Management, the real estate firm that owns 345 Park Avenue, the site of the shooting.
According to her LinkedIn profile, she held an associate position with the company.
In a statement, the Rudin family expressed their sorrow over the tragic event:
“The Rudin family and everyone at our company are devastated by yesterday’s senseless tragedy. 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 family also extended their gratitude to emergency personnel, including the NYPD, FBI, EMS, and other first responders for their swift and courageous response.
“We also thank the Mayor and Police Commissioner for their leadership. The building will remain closed today as the authorities continue their investigations. 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.”
Earlier the same day, financial firm Blackstone confirmed that one of their top executives, 41-year-old Wesley LePatner, was also among those killed.
LePatner served as the Global Head of Core+ Real Estate and CEO of the Blackstone Real Estate Income Trust (BREIT).
The shooting also claimed the life of NYPD Officer Didarul Islam and one additional victim, whose identity has not yet been publicly released.
The assailant, identified as 27-year-old Shane Tamura of Las Vegas, opened fire in the building’s lobby and later on the 33rd floor before taking his own life.
Authorities continue to investigate the motive behind the attack.
Crime
Venezuelan national Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis shot in the leg by an immigration agent in Minneapolis
On January 14, 2025, federal law enforcement personnel were engaged in a targeted enforcement operation involving Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, a Venezuelan national who has been present in the United States since 2022.
The operation escalated into a high-speed pursuit, a physical confrontation, and an ambush by multiple subjects, necessitating the use of a defensive firearm discharge by a federal agent.
At approximately 6:50 PM, federal officers initiated a targeted traffic stop of a vehicle operated by Sosa-Celis.
The subject refused to comply with law enforcement commands and attempted to flee the scene.
During the pursuit, the subject’s vehicle collided with a stationary, parked car.
Following the collision, the subject abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene on foot.
A federal agent pursued the suspect on foot and successfully intercepted him. As the agent attempted to effect an arrest, the subject became combative, resulting in a violent struggle on the ground.
During this confrontation, two additional male subjects emerged from a nearby residence to intervene.
These individuals reportedly ambushed the agent, utilizing a snow shovel and a broom handle to strike the officer.
The situation escalated when the primary suspect, Sosa-Celis, regained his footing and joined the two additional subjects in the assault.
Reports indicate the suspect struck the agent with a blunt object (identified as either the shovel or broom handle).
Citing an immediate threat to his life while being outnumbered and actively assaulted by three individuals, the agent discharged his service weapon in self-defense.
The discharge struck Sosa-Celis in the lower extremity (leg). Following the shot, all three suspects retreated into a nearby apartment complex and initiated a barricade situation.
Following a brief standoff, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) successfully secured the perimeter and apprehended all three individuals without further injury.
Both the federal agent and Sosa-Celis were transported to a local medical facility for treatment.
Images from the scene showed Sosa-Celis conscious and alert during transport.
All three subjects involved in the assault are currently in the custody of ICE.
Further charges related to the assault on a federal officer and resisting arrest are pending review by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.