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A fundraising campaign for the children of a security guard who was fatally shot in last week’s mass shooting in Midtown Manhattan has surpassed $60,000. His family described him as “a pillar of strength” for them.
Aland Etienne, aged 46, was one of four individuals tragically killed by shooter Shane Tamura at 345 Park Ave. on July 28, according to the GoFundMe page. His sudden passing has left his family and school-aged children without their main supporter.
“Aland was more than a coworker or friend — he brightened every room, was a pillar of strength for his family, and exemplified the kind of father any child would wish for,” the page stated. “He leaves behind two wonderful children who meant everything to him.”
“His deepest wish was to give them the future they deserve.”
Etienne was on duty when Tamura stormed in, killing him, Blackstone executive Wesley LePatner and NYPD Police Officer Didarul Islam, before taking the elevator to the 33rd floor.
There, he opened fire on cleaning woman Sebije Nelovic, who managed to duck into a closet, before he shot and killed 27-year-old Rudin Management associate Julia Hyman — then killed himself.
Etienne has a son who celebrated his 7th birthday just days after the tragedy, and an older daughter, According to sources. He was a beloved fixture at the Midtown skyscraper, the sources said.
Shamura, a disgruntled Las Vegas security guard, was targeting NFL offices in the building over perceived CTE injuries from playing high school football — but went to the wrong floor.
Funerals for the slain hero cop, a married 36-year-old father of two who had been on the force for four years; LePatner, the married mom of two; and Hyman, a Cornell graduate, were held last week.