Widow of police officer killed in New York mass shooting gives birth to 3rd child
The widow of the off-duty police officer who was killed in a mass shooting last month in New York City's Midtown Manhattan gave birth to the couple's third child on Sunday.
New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch shared the news in an X post Monday, writing, "Out of tragedy, a new life has entered this world. Last night, Jamila Islam, the wife of Detective First Grade Didarul Islam, gave birth to their beautiful son, Arham."
Didarul Islam, 36, was one of four people killed in the mass shooting that unfolded at 345 Park Avenue on July 28 in the office building's lobby and upper floors. The building is home to the headquarters of the NFL, the offices of private equity company Blackstone, real estate firm Rudin Management and other companies. Islam was off duty at the time and working a security job when he was fatally shot.
Tisch included two family photos in her post, one of newborn Arham swaddled in a blanket and another of Ahyan and Azhaan smiling as one of the brothers holds his new sibling.
"Arham joins his two big brothers, Ahyan and Azhaan," Tisch continued. "Together, they will carry forward their father's legacy of service and courage -- a legacy the NYPD will guard and uphold with the same devotion Didar gave to this city. Jamila, Ahyan, Azhaan, and now, Arham will forever be part of the NYPD family."
A funeral was held for Islam on July 31, where a statement was read on behalf of his wife.
"My husband was a man of faith, integrity and service," Jamila Islam's statement read. "He was a devoted son, a beloved brother and the most loving father. To our family, he was our world."
"Though my heart is broken, I find comfort knowing that his sacrifice may have saved others in that lobby -- people who were able to go home to their families that day."
The alleged shooter, Shane Tamura, fired 47 rounds with an M4-style rifle, according to the NYPD. New York City Mayor Eric Adams said previously that Tamura appeared to be targeting the NFL headquarters.
NYPD investigators stated last month that they were working to determine a motive behind the shooting, but said Tamura left a note claiming he suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, a brain disease marked by repeated blows to the head and often linked to military veterans and athletes, like football players.
In addition to Didarul Islam, three others -- Blackstone executive Wesley LePatner, security guard Aland Etienne, and Rudin Management employee Julia Hyman -- were killed in the mass shooting.
A fifth victim -- office cleaner Sebije Nelovic -- also said she was wounded in the shooting.
