A mass shooting at 345 Park Avenue in Manhattan on the evening of March 25, 2024, resulted in the deaths of four individuals, including a police officer and a security guard. The incident unfolded during rush hour, sending hundreds of office workers into a panic as gunfire erupted in the lobby of the 44-story skyscraper, which is home to the headquarters of the National Football League (NFL) and various financial institutions.
Witnesses described a chaotic scene as the shooter, armed with an assault-style rifle, entered the building shortly after 18:00. Eyewitness Nekeisha Lewis told The Associated Press that she heard two shots followed by a series of rapid gunfire. The gunman, who had parked his black BMW sedan outside, was seen entering the lobby with a calm demeanor, as highlighted by retired NYPD Captain John Monaghan.
“He’s clearly not worried about getting caught,” Monaghan remarked. “This is a guy who went into that building knowing, intending to kill someone.”
As the shooter made his way through the lobby, he targeted Didarul Islam, an NYPD officer working an overtime shift. Surveillance footage captured the moment he shot Islam in the back. The shooter then instantly fired at a woman behind a pillar and continued to spray bullets throughout the area, injuring another man.
The situation escalated as he approached the elevators, where he fatally shot Aland Etienne, a building guard attempting to raise an alarm. According to CNN’s Coy Wire, the building is known for its robust security measures, making the attack particularly shocking.
As the gunman moved toward the elevator, he allowed one woman to exit unharmed before taking the elevator to the 33rd floor. Reports indicate that he was targeting the NFL, although the elevator did not serve the lower floors where the NFL offices are located.
At approximately 18:28, the NYPD began receiving emergency calls about an active shooter. Officers quickly arrived at 345 Park Avenue, where chaos ensued outside as office workers fled the scene. A video captured the intense response of law enforcement as they mobilized to secure the area.
Inside the building, the shooter continued his rampage, wounding another woman before taking his own life. The tragedy resulted in the deaths of two men and two women, along with the shooter, marking it as New York’s deadliest gun attack in 25 years. One of the injured, an employee of the NFL, was hospitalized with serious injuries.
The victims were mourned by their communities. Security guard Etienne was honored as “a New York hero” by his union, 32BJ SEIU. President Manny Pastreich emphasized the risks that security officers undertake daily, stating, “Their contributions to our city are essential, though often unappreciated.”
Among the deceased was Julia Hyman, an employee of Rudin Management, who was remembered by her alma mater, Cornell University, where she graduated in 2020. Dean Kate Walsh described her as “an extraordinary student.” Another victim, Wesley LePatner, a senior managing editor at Blackstone, was remembered for her leadership and philanthropy by the UJA-Federation of New York.
In the aftermath, police gathered at New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center to honor Islam, whose body was draped in the NYPD flag. Commissioner Jessica Tisch praised him as a hero who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect the city.
As the city began to return to normalcy the following day, the flags at 345 Park Avenue flew at half-staff. A small memorial started to form at the site, with flowers and messages left in remembrance of those lost.
This incident has reignited discussions about gun violence and public safety in urban environments. Investigators continue to search for answers as the community grapples with the shock of the violence that unfolded in a bustling commercial hub.
