Latest news with #Blackstone
Time of India
an hour ago
- Business
- Time of India
Knowledge Realty Trust eyes acquisitions in India's top office markets
Synopsis Knowledge Realty Trust, poised for its Indian market debut as an office REIT, plans portfolio expansion via ROFO and third-party acquisitions in top seven cities. Backed by Blackstone and Sattva Group, the REIT will leverage its listing for financial flexibility, including unit swaps for acquisitions.
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
How Did a Lone Gunman Breach One of New York's Most Secure Skyscrapers?
The Park Avenue building where a gunman killed four people Monday is fortified more heavily than most. Concrete planters line the sidewalk. Security guards stand watch in the lobby. Video cameras monitor movements. Access procedures require visitors to register in advance, enter through a limited number of doors and pass security gates to reach elevators. So how did a lone shooter penetrate all of that? The deadly rush-hour shooting at the Midtown Manhattan skyscraper is spurring a furious review of security procedures inside large U.S. employers, building-security experts say. The attack demonstrated that even a well-guarded workplace is vulnerable to someone striding in with a high-powered M4 rifle, intent on doing harm. The gunman, 27-year-old Shane Tamura of Las Vegas, walked into the lobby openly holding the rifle, shooting first an NYPD officer working an off-duty security shift, then an unarmed security guard and a Blackstone executive, police said. Tamura appeared to have shot at one of the roughly waist-high glass turnstiles, an employee of private-equity firm Blackstone said, before making his way onto an elevator and shooting another person on the 33rd floor. 'If you're encountering a threat actor, an assailant who is willing to trade his life for yours, it's extremely difficult to defend,' said Tim Gallagher, a former Federal Bureau of Investigation special agent and now co-head of physical security and threat mitigation at the investigations firm Nardello. In many ways, 345 Park Ave. appeared to do nearly everything right from a security standpoint, Gallagher said. The building—where the National Football League, Blackstone, accounting firm KPMG and real estate management firm Rudin Management have offices—had an off-duty New York City Police Department officer stationed in the lobby. It used an advanced, automated video surveillance system. At least one or two security guards manned a front desk. To access a series of elevator banks reaching upper floors, workers had to scan a badge at turnstiles that opened modern, glass gates. Such a multilayered security program is widely seen as best practice, said Gallagher, who has visited the address multiple times and advised companies that work in the building. 'Security is tight,' he said. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, speaking to CNN, cited the presence of the off-duty police officer as a sign of the building's robust security. 'I don't know how you get more secure than that,' she said. Re-evaluating office security What has rattled professionals across the U.S. is the sense that such a shooting could easily happen in their own offices. Brian Stephens of Teneo, who works with companies across industries on security matters, said he heard from many clients in the hours after the shooting, including multinationals and real estate owners. 'The simple question is: Is there anything we need to think about differently based on what happened?' said Stephens, a former chief security officer at Bank of America. The answer, he said, is complicated. Securing corporate offices in a dense urban setting such as Manhattan can be particularly difficult. Unlike suburban office parks or other corporate facilities, where individuals might be stopped at a guard station far from a building, companies in a city can do only so much to restrict guests coming and going from a lobby. The private-equity firm Blackstone is among the companies with offices in the building. Many companies already monitor for threats online, conduct annual safety training with workers and encourage colleagues to speak up if they see something suspicious. But once a suspect takes down lobby security staff, as happened on Monday, it becomes easier to access the office floors. Some companies are beginning to install artificial-intelligence-enhanced video surveillance software to look for anyone who appears to have a weapon. Such systems can then immediately trigger a building to go into lockdown mode or for staffers to disable elevator service, Stephens said. The idea is that, 'even if he does get inside, he's not going anywhere within the tower,' Stephens said. Such technology can be expensive and is still evolving, though. 'I certainly wouldn't call it commonplace,' he said. Trained to 'run, hide, fight' Security experts say employees themselves play a critical role in thwarting a workplace attack. Monday's shooting showed just how practiced younger workers are in taking quick action, after growing up with active-shooter drills as a regular part of school life, witnesses and security experts said. Many staffers went immediately into 'run, hide, fight' mode when the shooting started. Attempting to barricade doors or hide can be helpful in deterring a shooter in situations where seconds matter, security specialists said. New York City Mayor Eric Adams, in an interview with Fox News on Tuesday, said the building's owner, the Rudin family, had created 'safe rooms that doubled as bathrooms with bulletproof doors' within the building, and conducted several active-shooter drills. Such measures likely saved lives, Adams said. Dale Buckner, chief executive of Global Guardian, a security firm that has clients in the building, said he had visited 345 Park Ave. numerous times and had seen the glass turnstiles in the lobby in action. It is unclear whether the gunman broke the turnstiles or accessed the elevators by jumping over them. How he got through, though, is 'almost irrelevant,' he said. 'The key takeaway being, we simply need to make it more difficult, and there's got to be a way to shut down that lobby to minimize his mobility, if you will, when these things happen,' Buckner said. One additional solution, he said, is for lobby guards to be seated behind bulletproof glass, akin to a model in heavily fortified U.S. embassies overseas, and to have additional layers of security to more easily isolate a shooter. 'That might sound a little too over the top or draconian,' he said. 'I think that, inevitably, this is where we're going to end up.' Write to Chip Cutter at
Fox News
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Serve up summer fun with these kitchen gadgets, from ice cream makers to pizza ovens
The right kitchen gadgets can upgrade your next summer gathering. Forget basic appliances; think margarita makers for instant frozen cocktails, countertop pizza ovens for a taste of Italy in your own backyard and ice cream attachments for custom frozen desserts. Shop these kitchen tools, appliances and gadgets that take summer entertaining to the next level. Original price: $202.99 This 36 oz frozen drink machine from Margaritaville is designed for parties, delivering resort-style slushies and alcoholic beverages with the flick of a switch. Don't forget these margarita mix packets for bar-quality drinks at a moment's notice. Plus, if you're an Amazon Prime member, you can get these items to your door ASAP. You can join or start a 30-day free trial to start your shopping today. With this portable pizza oven, you can whip up artisan-style 12-inch pizzas in just 60 seconds. The oven (which works with wood, charcoal or gas) heats up to 950 degrees and has a glass door that lets your guests savor the show. Blackstone also makes a solid version that's powered by propane, if you prefer that. Whether you're baking, air-frying, dehydrating or roasting, this Ninja indoor/outdoor multicooker handles 10 cooking functions in one sleek unit. Its oven‑style design includes racks for pizzas, kebabs or roasted veggies and an air-fry setting to give a crisp crunch without adding extra oil. Compact yet versatile, it's excellent for poolside cooking. Don't forget this extra-large nesting cutting board, which also doubles as a serving platter. This classic attachment transforms your stand mixer into an ice cream parlor. Just freeze the bowl, attach and let the paddle churn out two quarts of your favorite frozen treat — homemade ice cream, gelato or sorbet. Choose your own mix-ins and watch it churn, making it a fun interactive dessert station at barbecues or parties. Original price: $229.99 The Ninja Creami takes ordinary ingredients and turns them into custom frozen treats. Easily create your own personalized ice cream, sorbet or milkshake to delight guests with a refreshing, cool dessert tailored to their tastes. Cuisinart's Fast Freeze ice cream maker works similarly. One of the most versatile prep tools on the market, Cuisinart's 13-cup food processor handles chopping, slicing, shredding and puréeing with ease. Pull it out for quick pico de gallo, coleslaw, salsas or homemade dips in seconds. The large 13-cup bowl is ideal for batch preparation and the included small bowl is perfect for pesto or serving slivers. Stainless steel blades and discs make cleanup simple, so you're not tied to the prep stage all day. Ninja also makes its own version. This Blackstone griddle kit includes everything you need to elevate taco night into an experience — taco racks, a tortilla warmer and a topping tray. Just heat tortillas on your griddle or stove top, stack them neatly in the racks and let guests fill and fold without the mess. The tortilla warmer keeps shells soft and pliable, so they don't crack during assembly, while the topping tray keeps all fixings in one spot—ideal for easy replenishment and a clean serving area. Consider buying the Rice Robot for a perfectly cooked rice side dish. Original price: $699 This countertop electric smoker from GE allows you to enjoy the flavor of real wood-smoked food indoors, without filling your home with smoke. It converts smoke into warm air, minimizing odors and preventing smoke alarms from triggering. It boasts five adjustable settings, six preset programs (including options for brisket, ribs, chicken and salmon) and a built-in temperature probe, all controllable via Wi‑Fi. For this one, you'll need wood pellets, so don't forget to pick some up. For more deals, visit Ideal for crafting homemade snacks that guests can enjoy throughout the day, this Cuisinart food dehydrator transforms fruits, vegetables and even herbs into flavorful, shelf-stable bites. Dried mango, pineapple chips, salted kale chips and homemade jerky are just a few fun possibilities. It's especially handy for prepping ahead, leaving you more time to enjoy the sunshine when guests arrive. Beyond snacking, dehydrated ingredients can add flair to cocktails, salads or charcuterie boards — think citrus spirals or herb sprigs. If you're a novice to the dehydrating game, be sure to pick up this food dehydrator cookbook.
CNN
an hour ago
- CNN
Manhattan shooting victims honored while investigators continue search for answers
Mourners gathered in Manhattan's Bryant Park Tuesday evening to honor the four people killed in a shooting in a Midtown skyscraper, as investigators work to understand exactly how and why the shooter carried out the attack. Twenty-seven-year-old Shane Devon Tamura walked into 345 Park Avenue on Monday evening and opened fire, killing four people and injuring another before he died by suicide. The attack is now the deadliest event recorded in New York City since at least 2013, according to data from the Gun Violence Archive. The victims included an off-duty New York police officer, who was the father of two young sons, with a third child on the way; an executive at investment firm Blackstone; a security guard described by his union as a 'New York hero;' and a Cornell graduate who worked for the building owner. An NFL employee was also seriously injured in the shooting. Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams attended the multi-faith prayer vigil on Tuesday. Hochul spoke about her conversation with the widow of slain New York Police Department Officer Didarul Islam. 'I spoke to the young widow, a mother of two expecting her third child. I tried to convey, again, that sense of compassion all of us as human beings feel,' Hochul said during a vigil for the victims of the mass shooting. 'I said, 'Is there anything we can do for you?' And in her broken English, she just said: 'Pray for us.'' Islam, 36, was a Bangladeshi immigrant hailed as a hero by city officials. He was off duty but in uniform working security in the building when he was killed, New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. Another victim, Julia Hyman, was an associate at Rudin Management, the real estate firm that owns the Park Avenue building. Cornell dean and professor Kate Walsh described Hyman, a 2020 graduate, as 'an extraordinary student.' Blackstone employee Wesley LePatner was also killed in the attack, the investment firm confirmed Tuesday. She is survived by her husband and children, the firm said. LePatner's family called her 'the most loving wife, mother, daughter, sister and relative, who enriched our lives in every way imaginable.' Aland Etienne, the security officer who was killed, was 'a light' in his family's lives, they said. 'Every time a security officer puts on their uniform, they put their lives on the line. Their contributions to our city are essential, though often unappreciated. Aland Etienne is a New York hero. We will remember him as such,' said Manny Pastreich, President of 32BJ SEIU, a national union representing property service workers. The New York Police Department said it is sending investigators to Las Vegas, where the gunman lived, to learn more about a possible motive. Tamura was a competitive football player in his youth, sources said. In a note later found in the shooter's pocket, he claimed to have been suffering from CTE, or chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a brain disease linked to repeated head trauma – one that's often associated with football players. Investigators believe Tamura was headed for the NFL offices at the time of the shooting, but he took the wrong elevator, Adams said Monday. The only way to diagnose CTE is through an autopsy of the brain, and the New York City's chief medical examiner's office will test Tamura's brain for CTE, an office spokesperson told CNN Tuesday. Investigators are also examining how Tamura made his way from Las Vegas to New York City, with an AR-15 style weapon. That weapon was assembled using a lower receiver purchased by an associate, Tisch said. A search of the gunman's car turned up a host of items, including additional ammunition, another loaded weapon, headphones potentially used for target practice, two cell phones, the antidepressant Zoloft and cannabis, a law enforcement source told CNN. Another note found in the gunman's apartment, directed at his mother, read, 'When I look into yours and dad's eyes … all I see is disappointment,' CNN Chief Law Enforcement and Intelligence Analyst John Miller said. CNN's Amanda Musa, Emma Tucker, Sara Smart, Mark Morales, Rebekah Riess, Jessie Yeung and Taylor Romine contributed to this report.
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Heartbreaking new details about Blackstone executive's final moments as she was gunned down in NYC skyscraper by crazed gunman
The Blackstone executive who was killed in Monday's mass shooting in Manhattan was on her way out to meet a friend for a drink when she was shot dead in the lobby, it has been revealed. Wesley LePatner, 43, was on her way out of the 345 Park Avenue skyscraper where she worked when crazed gunman Shane Tamura, 27, killed her and three others in a horror shooting spree. The mother-of-two tried to cower behind a pillar for cover but was killed by Tamura, who also shot dead off-duty police officer Didarul Islam, security guard Aland Etienne, and Julia Hyman, a young worker at Rudin Management. The colleague who was set to meet LePatner for a drink after work then came down in the elevator and saw her lying on the floor, according to the Wall Street Journal. Another Blackstone employee told the outlet that she had a terrifying near-miss as she was waiting for an elevator to the lobby to pick up a DoorDash dinner when the delivery driver messaged her to warn her about the active shooter. She said she copied many Blackstone employees by finding a room in the offices that requires a keycard to enter before barricading the door. The accounts offered a horrifying glimpse inside the heavily fortified office tower in Midtown Manhattan, which also houses the NFL headquarters. Investigators believe that Tamura may have been targeting the NFL but got the wrong elevator before he shot Hyman on the 33rd floor, where he then turned the gun on himself and left a note blaming football-induced CTE for his mental health problems. Questions have been raised over how Tamura was able to cause such chaos inside a high-security skyscraper in Midtown Manhattan. The skyscraper was fitted with security features including panic rooms and off-duty NYPD officers such as Islam, leaving many to question why the shooting was not prevented. 'The random selection of this target is impossible to predict and really, really difficult to defend against,' Michael Balboni, former Homeland Security Adviser for New York state, told the New York Post. 'Did he know he could come into a Class A building like this and just spray the building? That's very unlikely, you know, typically.' Many inside the building told the Journal that they were wrapping up a long workday on Monday evening when alarms blared inside, and they were sent two messages, the first telling them to evacuate and a second telling them to shelter in place. KPMG tax associate Jon Ferrer said he initially brushed off the alarm sounding in his office, until a colleague told him there was an active shooter prowling their building. 'My heart sank to my stomach,' Ferrer said. Like other colleagues, Ferrer said he was ushered into a partner's office where they barricaded the door and windows before sitting and waiting anxiously for the all-clear. The sudden vulnerability has shaken many in Midtown Manhattan, where high-security buildings like 345 Park Avenue are designed with massive safety features. After breaching the lobby, Tamura reportedly shot at one of the turnstiles to then enter an elevator. Investigators said that they believe Tamura mistakenly got off at the wrong floor, intending to enter the NFL offices but instead got off on the 33rd floor where Rudin Management is based. There, he killed Hyman before turning the gun on himself. Tamura was a star football player while growing up in California and appeared to blame the National Football League for his behavior - even though he never played for the NFL He was found with a letter on his body indicating he had grievances with the NFL and its handling of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) after the rampage. In the note he railed against the NFL and pleaded for his brain to be studied. 'Terry Long football gave me CTE and it caused me to drink a gallon of antifreeze,' Tamura wrote, according to CNN. 'You can't go against the NFL, they'll squash you.' The shooter was referring to former Pittsburgh Steeler Terry Long, who committed suicide by drinking antifreeze in 2006 after suffering from CTE. 'Study my brain please I'm sorry Tell Rick I'm sorry for everything,' the note read.
