Crime
Blackstone Executive Wesley LePatner Killed in Midtown Manhattan Mass Shooting
NEW YORK, NY — The gunman responsible for Monday evening’s mass shooting inside a Midtown Manhattan office tower that left four people dead, including a prominent executive, was allegedly targeting the NFL’s headquarters but ended up on the wrong floor, according to Mayor Eric Adams.
Authorities confirmed that one of the victims was Wesley LePatner, a top executive at Blackstone. LePatner was the Global Head of Core+ Real Estate and CEO of Blackstone Real Estate Income Trust (BREIT).
She was also a member of Blackstone Real Estate’s Investment Committee. LePatner, a Yale graduate, previously held senior roles at Goldman Sachs and served on several prestigious boards, including The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the UJA-Federation of New York.
The gunman, identified as Shane Tamura, 27, a mentally ill former casino security guard from Las Vegas, opened fire inside 345 Park Avenue around 6:28 p.m. Monday.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said Tamura entered the 44-story skyscraper armed with an M4-style rifle, killed four people, injured one more, and ultimately turned the gun on himself.
Surveillance footage captured Tamura arriving in a black BMW with Nevada plates, which he double-parked between 51st and 52nd Streets.
He then entered the building’s lobby, immediately shooting NYPD Officer Didarul Islam, 36, before continuing his rampage.
He then fatally shot a woman hiding behind a lobby pillar and a security guard stationed at a desk near the elevators.
Another man in the lobby was wounded and remains hospitalized in critical but stable condition.
Tamura allowed one woman to exit an elevator safely before proceeding to the 33rd floor, where he encountered and killed Wesley LePatner, who was working in Blackstone’s offices.
After firing throughout the floor, Tamura walked down a hallway and shot himself in the chest, dying at the scene.
Mayor Adams said Tamura may have intended to target the NFL’s headquarters, also located within the building, but likely took the wrong elevator.
Tamura had a documented mental health history, according to Las Vegas law enforcement.
Investigators say he abruptly missed work Sunday and began driving cross-country. His vehicle was tracked passing through Colorado (July 26), Nebraska and Iowa (July 27), and Columbia, New Jersey (4:24 p.m. July 28), arriving in Manhattan just hours before the shooting.
Police recovered from Tamura’s vehicle a rifle case, a loaded revolver, multiple magazines, a backpack, and prescription medication. He also possessed a valid Nevada concealed firearms permit with an expiration date of 2027.
The AR-15-style rifle used in the shooting — a .223-caliber Palmetto State Armory weapon — was equipped with a scope, handguard, and shoulder sling. Photos of the rifle obtained by media outlets showed it was smeared with blood.
Tamura acted alone, and while his exact motive remains unclear, NYPD and federal investigators are working to determine what led him to target this high-profile location.
Tisch noted that his attack caused widespread panic in the building, which houses major tenants like Blackstone, NFL headquarters, Rudin Management, and others.
Wesley LePatner’s death has stunned the financial and real estate community. With a career spanning over two decades, LePatner was widely respected for her leadership, vision, and charitable involvement.
She received her BA in History from Yale University, summa cum laude, and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. Her contributions extended far beyond the boardroom, including philanthropic work across the arts and education.
The NYPD and federal authorities continue to investigate the shooting and Tamura’s background. According to Commissioner Tisch, the building was secured within 90 minutes of the initial 911 call.
“We are working tirelessly to understand this individual’s movements, motives, and mental state,” Tisch said. “This tragedy has left a mark on our city, and our hearts are with the victims and their families.”
The Sparks Police Department and NYPD’s Critical Incident Response Team are handling the investigation into the shooting, which Mayor Adams described as a tragic reminder of the need for comprehensive mental health and gun safety reforms.
More updates will be released as the investigation continues.
Crime
Saylor Graham, 7, Fights to Recover After Silver Rail Elementary School Shooting as Teacher Becky Drury Faces Long Recovery
BEND, Oregon — Seven-year-old Saylor Graham is recovering from life-threatening injuries after being shot at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, on October 15, 2026. Meanwhile, 54-year-old teacher Becky Drury is beginning a lengthy recovery after suffering gunshot wounds to her left arm and right hand during the deadly school shooting.
The latest updates from the two families offer a glimpse of the difficult road ahead for survivors of a tragedy that claimed the lives of three children and a teacher, leaving families, classmates, and the wider Bend community grieving.
Saylor Graham, described by her family as a loving, feisty girl with a strong determination to thrive, was shot in the jaw during the shooting, according to the information shared by her family and supporters. She was airlifted from Bend for medical treatment.
Her family says the 7-year-old has already faced numerous medical challenges throughout her young life. Now, she is confronting another devastating ordeal, with her parents remaining by her side as she receives treatment and begins the recovery process.
Updates shared about Saylor’s condition have differed. An earlier account described her as being in critical condition, while a later update reported that she was in serious but stable condition. Her latest status should be confirmed with her family or an official source before publication.
For Saylor’s parents, the emotional strain is accompanied by significant financial uncertainty. Both parents are self-employed, and the demands of remaining at the hospital have sharply limited their ability to work. They must also manage medical expenses, transportation, lodging, household bills, and the needs of their other child.
A GoFundMe fundraiser has been organized to help Saylor’s family manage the financial pressures arising from her injuries and ongoing treatment.
The fundraiser describes Saylor as a daughter, sister, and niece whose determination has carried her through numerous medical challenges. It explains that the family is facing uncertainty as they remain close to her during recovery.
The appeal states that donations will help cover hospital bills, time away from work, lodging, transportation, and other urgent family expenses.
The fundraiser also asks supporters to keep Saylor and her loved ones in their thoughts and prayers, emphasizing that every contribution and act of kindness can make a difference during this difficult time.
Readers who wish to support Saylor’s recovery can find the fundraiser through the link shared by her family or the original organizer. The campaign details and donation link should be verified before being shared.
Becky Drury, 54, a teacher at Silver Rail Elementary School, was also wounded in the shooting. She suffered gunshot injuries to her left arm and right hand and has undergone surgery.
Her husband, Will, shared a hopeful update, saying the operation went well. However, the injuries to her left arm were extensive, and she is expected to require additional procedures and a prolonged recovery.
Despite the difficult road ahead, her husband’s message offered a moment of relief amid the grief surrounding the shooting.
“The good news is she will be ok and we all get to keep that magnificent woman we love so much in our lives,” he said.
His words reflect the gratitude of a family facing a frightening and uncertain recovery while knowing that Becky survived.
The shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School left three children and one teacher dead, according to the information provided in reports about the incident.
Five-year-old Rhoam Summer has been publicly identified among the children killed. Megan Lambert, 25, a teacher also known as “Coach Megan,” was identified as the adult victim. Two other children, ages 8 and 11, were also killed.
Their deaths have left four families facing an unimaginable loss. While Saylor and Becky continue their recoveries, the families of those who died are beginning a different and heartbreaking journey of grief.
The contrast between the survivors’ fight to recover and the families’ permanent loss has become one of the most painful realities of the tragedy.
For Saylor’s family, every update about her condition carries enormous significance. Her parents are navigating the uncertainty of their daughter’s recovery while trying to remain present for her and care for their family.
For Becky Drury’s loved ones, the successful surgery has brought relief, even as further treatment and rehabilitation lie ahead.
Their stories do not erase the devastating loss experienced by the families of the victims. Instead, they highlight the many ways the shooting has changed lives and the long road that survivors and loved ones must now face.
As Bend mourns the children and teacher who did not return home, the community continues to hope for Saylor’s recovery and for Becky to regain her health.
Saylor Graham and Becky Drury are among those still fighting their way forward after the Silver Rail Elementary School shooting. Their families are asking for support, compassion, and privacy as they face the difficult days ahead.