NEW YORK, July 29 (Reuters) - Investment giant

Blackstone Inc ( BX ) said on Tuesday that a senior executive

was among the people killed when a gunman, carrying an assault

rifle, walked into the lobby of a midtown Manhattan office

building and opened fire on Monday.

"We are heartbroken to share that our colleague, Wesley

LePatner, was among those who lost their lives in the tragic

incident at 345 Park Avenue. Words cannot express the

devastation we feel," the company said in a statement.

LePatner was a senior managing director at the firm and

Global Head of Core+ Real Estate and the Chief Executive Officer

of Blackstone Real Estate Income Trust (BREIT), the firm added.