Park Avenue Tragedy: Aspiring Prodigy Becomes Youngest Casualty
Tragically, the youngest casualty of Monday’s horrific gunfire in a Midtown tower was an aspiring prodigy—mercilessly slain while still at work. The unfortunate victim, Julia Hyman, 27, was amongst the remaining few on the 33rd floor of 345 Park Avenue, working late around 6:30 pm. The peaceful environment was shattered when Shane Tamura, 27, armed with an assault rifle, abruptly unleashed terror from the elevator.
Hyman, an exemplary student who graduated from Cornell University with distinction, began her promising career at Rudin Management, the owners of the building in November. Those who knew her closely revealed that burning the midnight oil at such an esteemed firm was characteristic of her driven nature.
Citing her work ethic during her memorial service on Wednesday, Julia’s college friend’s father, 62-year-old Siva Subramaniam, shared, ‘She was deeply committed to her work.’ He added, ‘She was usually the first to arrive, and the last one to leave.’
On that fateful evening, Tamura encountered only three individuals on the 33rd floor. His first victim – a building maid with years of service, somehow managed to evade the shooting spree. The second individual, another employee, managed to find shelter in a secure panic room. Out of options, Tamura tracked down Hyman at a desk and cold-bloodedly took her life.
Having claimed four lives in total, including Hyman, Tamura turned the weapon on himself in the absence of anyone else to assault. Chief of Department at NYPD, John Chell, expressed relief that Tamura did not storm the office earlier when more employees were present. He stated, ‘Thankfully, it didn’t happen a tad earlier. Only a few people were around.’
Chell expressed the sheer shock on witnessing the crime scene, stating, ‘It was an unspeakable horror.’ Colleagues were equally bewildered but commended Hyman’s dedication to her profession, remembering her as a born leader who empathized with even the lowest-ranked staff members.
A summer intern at Rudin mentioned a brief casual exchange he had with Hyman once in a hallway. ‘She would always greet me with a warm smile whenever we crossed paths. That was testament to her character, and her dedication to work meant everything to her,’ he reminisced.
Hyman’s intense personal connect and reach was fully showcased during a moving, packed funeral service in a Manhattan synagogue on Wednesday. The congregation was so large that an additional room had to be arranged to accommodate the crowd.
Often hailed for her intuitive emotional intelligence, Julia had a knack for deeply connecting with others in a significant manner. ‘Julia truly had wisdom far beyond her years,’ her uncle, Rob Pittman, expressed during the service.
He elaborated on her lively spirit and determined attitude, saying, ‘She embraced life with open eyes, courage, and steadfast belief. Not only would she eagerly partake in celebrations, but she would also meticulously plan them, choosing the music and even playing the part of DJ.’
Julia shone not just professionally and academically, but also in her personal life. As an active leader of her sorority at Cornell, she also captained her high school lacrosse team. Raised in the Bronx, she had been a part of the Riverdale Country School since childhood, graduating in 2016.
The lament over Julia’s untimely demise resonated with Subramaniam, whose daughter was also Julia’s roommate at college. ‘Such an irreplaceable loss, she had a love for life, savored food, and was an exceptional cook,’ he mourned.
Tamura’s other victims comprised Wesley LePatner, a 43-year-old Blackstone executive who succumbed while hiding behind a lobby column, building security guard Aland Etienne, and 36-year-old NYPD officer Didarul Silam, who left behind a pregnant wife. Urging Julia’s friends and parents to retain her vibrant essence, Pittman said, ‘Awaken to just how incredibly impactful your daughter was. Julia had every virtue instilled in her by you, and she turned out to be a truly extraordinary individual.’