Girl weeps for Blackstone exec mom Wesley LePatner murdered by NYC shooter before she and brother comfort widower father
The family of Wesley LePatner, who was murdered during the Midtown Manhattan Shooting, broke down in tears at her funeral on Wednesday.
The 43-year-old senior managing director at investment giant Blackstone was gunned down by Shane Tamura, 27, at 345 Park Avenue Monday evening.
On Wednesday, LePatner’s husband Evan and her two children, Emerson and Jonathan, gathered in the city’s Central Synagogue alongside former colleagues and family to remember her.
As one of her friends spoke at length about LePatner and her life, the two children immediately rested their heads on their father’s shoulders to comfort him in a sweet touching moment.
The family could be seen sitting in the front row of the synagogue in front of LePatner’s coffin as several speakers spoke about her.
One coworker, who spoke at length about their time at the company, said: ‘Wesley I miss you so much, rest in power sister.’
Another added: ‘A part of Wesley is now inside everyone she touched, as a source of inspiration to live life like Wesley, elevating the people around us.
‘I can only begin to imagine how many times I will ask myself, “what would Wesley do?”, may we all carry forward in her spirit.’
Her daughter Emerson is seen here speaking during the service
Emerson and Jonathan are seen resting their heads on their father during the funeral of their mother
Blackstone President and COO Jonathan Gray said he had held a real estate meeting with Wesley and 700 across the firm on Monday morning prior to the shooting.
‘I was so proud to watch her career prosper, this past Monday morning we held a real estate meeting, the morning that would sadly be her last.’
Gray said a problem arose in the meeting, adding: ‘I asked her on the spot, how are you going to fix this?
‘She conceded the situation was not easy but with supreme confidence and command of the fact she laid out her approach, no fuss, just smarts, and great judgement.’
‘And you knew Wesley would get it done, god we will miss her at that table. She was an incredible daughter, sister, wife, mother and friend.
‘When her eyes were twinkling, you just had to smile. She didn’t just blaze a path for herself, she inspired and encouraged others to forge their own.
‘It is difficult to reconcile our faith with the horrific events of Monday evening, we must pick up the pieces and move forward, we must honor her relentless sense of purpose, to suck the marrow out of life, to be present for the people we cherish.
‘Wesley, you fulfilled that mission. You were a blessing to others, so many others, most importantly to Evan, to your children, and your parents that cared for you.’
Blackstone President and COO Jonathan Gray said he had held a real estate meeting with Wesley and 700 others on Monday morning prior to the shooting
LePatner, a trustee at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, was a rising star in her industry
Wesley was one of three murdered in the lobby, while trying to hide from the gunfire behind a pillar.
Also killed in the building’s lobby was New York Police Department Officer Didarul Islam, 36.
Islam leaves behind a wife who is eight months pregnant and the couple’s two young sons. Security guard Aland Etienne, 46, was the third person who died in the lobby.
Gunman Tamura summoned an elevator in a bid to get up to the NFL offices to continue his massacre, but took the wrong car.
He ended up getting out on the 33rd floor, home to property management company Rudin.
There, Tamura murdered 27 year-old Rudin employee Julia Hyman, before taking his own life.
LePatner, a trustee at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, was a rising star in her industry.
She oversaw businesses with more than $140 billion in assets for Blackstone, where she had worked since 2014.
She grew up in New York City with prominent attorney parents and previously worked at Goldman Sachs, after graduating from Yale University.
LePatner’s coffin is seen here leaving the synagogue following the ceremony on Thursday morning
Authorities say Tamura arrived in Midtown Manhattan by car on Monday afternoon following a mammoth cross-country trip before entering the building that housed the NFL headquarters
Officer Didarul Islam, left, was working private security at the time, Julia Hyman, right, was another victim identified
LePatner was killed in the lobby as she tried to hide behind a pillar, according to the Wall Street Journal which reported that other Blackstone employees are in the hospital receiving treatment.
‘Wesley was a beloved member of the Blackstone family and will be sorely missed,” the company said in a statement.
‘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 N.Y.P.D.’
Tamura, who’d driven to New York City from Las Vegas with a rifle, killed himself shortly after shooting Hyman.
The former high school football star had claimed playing the game had given him a brain condition called CTE and had planned an unhinged revenge attack on the NFL.
Tamura was found with a letter on his body indicating he had grievances with the NFL and its handling of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), degenerative brain disease linked to several retired football players.
