NEW YORK — Authorities have noted that the individual responsible for the assassination of the CEO of the nation’s largest health insurance company likely departed New York City on a bus shortly after the shocking attack that has left the corporate world on edge. However, he overlooked an important detail: a backpack that was later found in Central Park.
Nearly four days post the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, law enforcement officials are still in the dark about the gunman’s identity or motive, with no insights into his current location. Investigators are considering whether the assailant might have been a disgruntled employee or a client of the company, Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny stated.
In light of the situation, the FBI has issued a $50,000 reward for any information leading to an arrest and subsequent conviction of the suspect.
Surveillance footage captured the gunman fleeing from the scene of Wednesday’s shooting, showcasing him biking into Central Park and subsequently taking a taxi to a bus terminal offering services to New Jersey and Greyhound routes to destinations such as Philadelphia, Boston, and Washington, D.C., according to Kenny.
Although police have video evidence of the suspect entering the bus station, they lack footage of him leaving, which leads them to conclude that he likely exited the city, according to further commentary from Kenny.
On Friday, investigators discovered a backpack within Central Park, which was worn by the shooter during the tragic event. This unveiling came after a meticulous search through various terrains like lakes, meadows, playgrounds, and wooded areas.
Although authorities have withheld information about the contents of the backpack, they confirmed it would undergo examination for potential clues.
The assailant had taken precautions to obscure his identity, wearing a mask for the majority of his time in New York City — even during the attack and while dining — but nonetheless left a considerable amount of evidence, particularly in a city dense with security cameras.
The shooter allegedly arrived in New York City on November 24 and carried out the attack on Thompson only ten days later, outside the company’s annual investor meeting located near significant landmarks like Radio City Music Hall and Rockefeller Center.
Reports indicate that the suspect boarded a bus originating from Atlanta, making multiple stops along the route. While investigators possess a list of passengers, the individuals were not required to provide identification when boarding the bus, complicating efforts to trace the gunman.
It is believed that he used a fraudulent ID and paid in cash when checking into the hostel near Columbia University, which also features a café and offers both shared and private lodging options.
Law enforcement is currently analyzing a discarded water bottle and a protein bar wrapper to gather DNA evidence. Moreover, they are attempting to gather more data from a cellphone discovered along the gunman’s route of escape.
Photos capturing the suspected shooter in a hostel lobby reveal the only occasion he appeared without his mask; the images disclose a man smiling in the lobby area of the HI New York City hostel. These photos are part of a larger collection comprising images from the attack and footage of the assailant at a Starbucks prior to the shooting.
Witness accounts suggest that the shooter wore a mask continuously, only removing it once, as evidenced by the images taken in the hostel.
The suspect’s roommates at the hostel reported he refrained from speaking to them, and nothing significant was unearthed during a search of his room.
When questioned about the possibility of an upcoming arrest, Kenny emphasized that investigations require time and thoroughness, stating, “This isn’t ‘Blue Bloods.’ We’re not going to solve this in 60 minutes.” He reassured that each piece of evidence would be carefully examined to ensure justice for the victim and closure for his family.
Security footage from the incident indicated that the shooter approached Thompson from behind and opened fire using a gun that appeared to be equipped with a silencer, pausing only momentarily to clear a malfunction as the executive collapsed to the ground.
Investigators are exploring the potential that the firearm used was a veterinary pistol, typically employed on farms for quiet animal euthanization, although this claim remains unverified.
Notably, the ammunition used bore the words “delay,” “deny,” and “depose,” each inscribed on separate bullets. These terms align with the phrase “delay, deny, defend,” often referenced in discussions around insurance claims and payment delays.
Thompson was a dedicated father to two sons and had been with Minnesota-based UnitedHealthcare since 2004, taking on the CEO role over three years ago. The parent company, UnitedHealth Group Inc., was conducting its annual investor meeting in New York, which was abruptly canceled following Thompson’s fatal shooting.
UnitedHealth Group expressed commitments to support Thompson’s family, prioritize employee safety, and assist in the ongoing investigation, acknowledging the immense public sympathy following the tragedy.
UnitedHealthcare provides health insurance coverage to over 49 million individuals across the U.S., managing plans for employers and Medicaid programs at both the state and federal levels.
The shooting has sent shockwaves throughout the health insurance sector, prompting companies to reassess their security protocols, and leading to some removing executive photographs from their websites. A different Minnesota healthcare organization temporarily closed its doors, advising employees to work remotely as a precautionary measure.
