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- KPMG told staff that its Park Avenue office will be closed on Tuesday following the Monday evening shooting.Four people were killed after a shooter opened fire in 345 Park Avenue, where KPMG has offices.KPMG sent another internal memo to staff at 7 a.m. on Tuesday.
KPMG told staff that its 345 Park Avenue office will remain closed on Tuesday, after a shooting in the midtown Manhattan office building on Monday evening left four people dead.
In a memo sent to staff at 11:04 p.m. on Monday, the Big Four consulting firm told staff to plan to work from home or another KPMG office on Tuesday. The memo, which Business Insider has seen, was signed by Yesenia Scheker Izquierdo, the managing partner for KPMG's New York office.
KPMG has offices on several floors at 345 Park Avenue. On Monday evening, a gunman identified by police as 27-year-old Shane Tamura was captured on security camera footage entering the building with an M4 rifle.
He opened fire in the lobby and proceeded to the 33rd floor, the office of Rudin Management, a real estate company and the owner of the property. Among the four victims were an NYPD officer and an executive at the asset management firm Blackstone. Tamura was found dead at the scene.
In the memo sent to staff that evening, KPMG called the shooting "a terrible, tragic, and frightening event."
The firm said in the memo the office would remain closed on Tuesday "in support of law enforcement continuing their activities."
"Firm and New York leadership are working closely with security, law enforcement, and people relations to make sure we connect with and account for all personnel in our NYC offices," the firm told staff.
A KPMG spokesperson confirmed to BI that the office was closed on Tuesday and that employees could work from home.
In the memo, KPMG advised employees to respond to the "emergency text messages sent to everyone at KPMG in NYC."
A KPMG employee told BI that two messages were sent to their corporate phone on Monday evening at around 7 p.m. asking them to confirm whether they were safe or needed assistance.
"This is KPMG. Law enforcement is onsite at 345 Park. Please continue sheltering in place until given further instructions by onsite law enforcement," the second of the messages said, according to a screenshot seen by BI.
The employee, who works from the 345 Park Avenue office, said they would feel comfortable returning to the site when it reopens.
"A very horrific event for sure, however I believe the firm took the right measures ensure employees have felt safe during this time," the person said.
KPMG sent a second memo to staff at 7 a.m. on Tuesday. The memo was signed by Tim Walsh, KPMG's chair and CEO, and Atif Zaim, deputy chair and US managing principal.
Read the memo:
"Update: 345 Park Avenue
Tim Walsh and Atif Zaim
July 28 was a terrible day at 345 Park Avenue. According to media reporting, multiple people lost their lives. Our hearts go out to the victims of this horrific act and their families. We are not aware of any serious physical injuries to KPMG personnel.We are grateful for the bravery of building security and law enforcement. Our offices at 345 Park Avenue are closed, and we expect them to remain closed as the investigation continues, and we will keep our New York-based colleagues updated on the status of the office. To our team who were in 345 Park Avenue yesterday — thank you for your bravery, patience, and compassion in a time of crisis. You are the embodiment of our very special culture at KPMG. In the hours and days ahead, take care of yourselves and please continue to look out for each other. In this moment, we want you to know that we have resources available for anyone who feels the need to talk to someone. We will be providing resources, including counselors, on the ground and virtually to our New York teams and anyone who needs them. Please stay safe and support each other."
