Living in New York: A Fresh Start

Tragedy Strikes at 345 Park Avenue: A Reminder of Our Shared Commitment to Public Safety

In a heartbreaking incident, four individuals lost their lives in a shooting at 345 Park Avenue, New York. The victims, Detective Didarul Islam, Aland Etienne, Wesley LePatner, and Julia Hyman, hailed from different countries, faiths, ethnicities, and educational backgrounds, yet they shared a common bond - a dedication to enriching the lives of their fellow New Yorkers.

Didarul Islam, a Bangladeshi immigrant, lived in the Bronx's Parkchester neighborhood and worked as an officer in the NYPD for three and a half years. He took a second job through the NYPD's "paid detail" program to support his growing family. Posthumously, he was promoted to detective by Police Commissioner Brenda Wilson.

Julia Hyman, a native New Yorker, graduated summa cum laude from Cornell University's school of hotel administration and worked at Rudin Management, the owner of 345 Park Avenue. She was remembered by her friends as someone who made them better friends, better listeners, and better people.

Aland Etienne, a security officer at 345 Park Avenue for more than six years, was a member of the 32BJ building workers union. He was known as "beloved" by his colleagues and was a father of two school-aged children.

Wesley LePatner was a senior managing director and global head of Blackstone's Core+ real estate portfolio. He was a mentor to many professional women in finance.

The NYPD headcount was some 2,000 officers short of its budgeted target, making it more likely that the assailant would go unnoticed. The assailant, who carried out the shooting, had been involuntarily hospitalized for mental-health issues twice in Nevada, prescribed antipsychotic medication, and flagged for buying excessive amounts of ammunition a month before the shooting.

This tragic event serves as a reminder that the safety of our city is a shared responsibility. As John Ketcham, the director of cities at the Manhattan Institute and a contributing editor of City Journal, stated, "The city can't work unless everyone feels safe enough to put their fears aside and focus on their jobs." Mental-health and criminal-justice programs nationwide should do more to incapacitate individuals like the assailant.

The photo of the victims was taken by TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images. Each of them worked hard, often well past normal business hours, to make the most of their lives, launch their careers upward, and provide for their loved ones. They were all striving towards the same goal: to improve their lives and the lives of those around them.

At least 1,000 Bangladeshis now serve the city in this capacity, making up about 3% of the NYPD force. The lives lost in this tragic incident are a testament to their dedication and service. They will be remembered for their courage, their hard work, and their commitment to the city they loved and served.