Julia Hyman Identified Among Victims in Midtown Manhattan Shooting — Cornell Graduate and Promising Real Estate Leader Killed in Act of Terror

New York City, NY — July 29, 2025

The heart of Manhattan was shattered Monday morning when a mass shooting erupted near East 46th Street and Madison Avenue, claiming four lives in what officials are now investigating as an act of domestic terrorism. Among those tragically killed was Julia Hyman, a 28-year-old Cornell University graduate and rising executive at Rudin Management Company, whose life and future were cut short in a moment of senseless violence.

The attack, which occurred around 8:45 a.m. on July 28, sent shockwaves through New York City and the nation. The shooter, armed with a semi-automatic rifle and multiple magazines, opened fire on pedestrians and office workers as the workday began, striking without warning in one of the busiest corners of Midtown. Chaos unfolded in seconds.

A Rising Star Lost Too Soon

Julia Hyman was the embodiment of promise. A graduate of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration, she quickly made her mark in New York’s competitive real estate industry through her work at Rudin Management, one of the city’s leading property management and development firms. Colleagues described her as “visionary, grounded, and deeply committed to improving the urban landscape for future generations.”

“She was not only an exceptionally bright professional — she was someone people wanted to be around,” said a statement from Rudin Management. “Her impact here was profound. We are devastated by this loss.”

Julia was involved in several sustainability and tenant wellness initiatives, and had recently been promoted to oversee a new strategic development portfolio focused on green infrastructure. Friends say she had aspirations of launching her own firm one day — a firm that would “build better cities, not just bigger ones.”

Scene of Terror in Midtown

According to the New York Police Department, the gunman began shooting outside a commercial tower, targeting people at random before storming into the building. Four people were killed, and six others were injured — two critically. The suspect was ultimately neutralized by NYPD officers who arrived within minutes of the first 911 call.

Federal and city investigators are treating the incident as a terror-related event, citing extremist online postings made by the shooter in the days prior. Authorities have not yet released the suspect’s name, but confirm he acted alone.

“We believe this was a deliberate and ideologically driven attack designed to strike fear into the public,” said NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban. “This was not a robbery. This was hate in its purest form.”

An Outpouring of Grief and Outrage

Across social media, news of Julia’s death has sparked widespread grief. Cornell alumni, Rudin employees, and friends have flooded platforms with photos, tributes, and heartbreaking messages.

“I keep rereading her last text,” said one close friend, “She was just walking to work. That’s all she was doing.”

Mayor Eric Adams called the shooting a “deeply personal violation of New York,” while Governor Kathy Hochul echoed the need for national unity and a renewed focus on countering domestic extremism.

“This cannot be what we accept as normal,” Governor Hochul said. “People like Julia Hyman represent the best of us — bright, ambitious, compassionate. We must not let violence steal our future.”

A Legacy in the Making

In the wake of this tragedy, Julia’s family has announced plans to launch the Julia Hyman Foundation, which will focus on urban sustainability, affordable housing, and mentorship programs for young professionals. It’s a mission Julia championed in life — and one her family is determined to carry forward in her honor.

“She believed in community, in progress, and in kindness,” said her sister Rachel. “We will not let her light go out.”