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.’
Three others – NYPD officer Didarul Islam, security guard Aland Etienne and Rudin firm employee Julia Hyman – were also killed when Tamura opened fire in the lobby.
Tamura also shot dead a second unnamed security guard who tried to take cover behind a security desk.
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 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.
This is a breaking news story.