NEW YORK—Tons of turned out to honor the lifetime of Aland Etienne, the safety guard who was killed final month at a Manhattan workplace tower by a gunman concentrating on the headquarters of the Nationwide Soccer League.
An immigrant from Haiti who got here to the USA in 2017 with a dream for a brand new life, Etienne was remembered as a devoted father and grandfather who was faithfully working at his safety submit when the gunman instantly opened fireplace on July 28.
“My brother shall be remembered as a hero. A humble, regular, sort New York hero,” mentioned Smith Etienne, Aland’s brother, in a press release. “Aland made the final word sacrifice, selecting bravery and selflessness over concern. In his closing moments, he acted to guard others.”
The memorial service was held Saturday in Brooklyn for Etienne, 46, the final of the 4 taking pictures victims to be laid to relaxation. A New York Metropolis police officer, an funding agency govt and an actual property agency employee have been additionally killed. The gunman wounded a fifth particular person earlier than taking his personal life.
Like Etienne, slain NYPD Officer Didarul Islam, who was working a department-approved personal safety element that day, was an immigrant. Islam was Bangladeshi-American.
Manny Pastreich, president of Etienne’s union, 32BJ SEIU, mentioned Etienne represents not solely important staff who’re the spine of New York Metropolis, but in addition immigrants who come to the U.S. to construct a greater life and contribute in each giant and small methods.
“His legacy will function a reminder of the contributions of immigrants, and the sacrifices, they make every single day,” Pastreich mentioned in a press release.
Safety officers from buildings throughout New York held a vigil final week to honor Etienne.
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