Latest News

Blackstone executive killed in Manhattan shootings, firm claims

Blackstone Inc, an investment giant, said that on Tuesday, a senior executive had been among those killed by a gunman who opened fire with an assault rifle in the lobby of midtown Manhattan's office building on Monday.

We are deeply saddened to announce that Wesley LePatner was one of the victims in the tragic accident at 345 Park Avenue. The company released a statement that said, "Words cannot describe the devastation and grief we feel."

LePatner, the firm said, was a senior director and global head of Core+ Real Estate as well as the chief executive officer of Blackstone Real Estate Income Trust.

The shooting took place on Monday afternoon, just as Blackstone employees were about to leave the building for the day.

Sources who have seen the memo claim that Blackstone's CEO Stephen Schwarzman, and President Jon Gray, wrote to their entire staff on Monday, calling it the "worst" day in its 40-year history. Blackstone's New York offices will also be closed on Tuesday, according to the executives.

Sources familiar with the situation said that Blackstone would hold a Zoom conference call later on Tuesday morning.

(source: Reuters)