NEW YORK — Authorities are actively investigating the tragic shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, who was fatally attacked by a masked gunman while walking on a Manhattan sidewalk. The incident occurred early Wednesday as Thompson was on his way to the company’s annual investor conference held at a Hilton hotel, situated near notable landmarks such as Radio City Music Hall and the Museum of Modern Art.
The assault took place in the early morning hours, only to be captured by the numerous security cameras that monitor that bustling area of New York City. Video footage revealed the assailant narrowing in on Thompson from behind, raising his handgun, and firing multiple shots. The suspect showed notable proficiency with firearms, managing to clear a brief malfunction before the health executive fell to the ground.
Subsequent captures from additional cameras documented the shooter’s escape, where he was seen quickly leaving the scene across a pedestrian plaza before taking off on a bicycle and disappearing into the vastness of Central Park. Despite extensive searches involving drones, helicopters, and search dogs, law enforcement was unable to locate the suspect as night fell.
NYPD officials have indicated that they have yet to determine a motive for the attack, however, they emphasized that the shooting was targeted rather than random. “Many people passed by the suspect, indicating he seemed to be waiting for his intended victim,” Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch stated during a press briefing.
The gunman was described as wearing a hooded jacket and a mask that concealed most of his face, attire that would generally not raise suspicion amid the chilly winter weather. Surveillance images released by the police show the suspect at a nearby Starbucks shortly before the violent encounter. Authorities are offering a reward of up to $10,000 for tips leading to an arrest and conviction in this case.
UnitedHealth Group Inc., based in Minnetonka, Minnesota, released a statement expressing their sorrow over Thompson’s passing, emphasizing his stature as a respected colleague and partner. The company is collaborating with law enforcement as investigations continue.
Thompson’s wife, Paulette, revealed to NBC News that her husband had previously mentioned receiving threats. Although specifics were not disclosed, she suggested that these threats could potentially relate to matters concerning insurance coverage. However, the police chief from Thompson’s local suburb expressed that no formal complaints or threats had been reported to their department.
As part of the investigation, police collected various 9 mm shell casings from the vicinity of the hotel and discovered a cellphone in the alley where the shooter fled. They are also conducting interviews with Thompson’s colleagues at UnitedHealthcare and exploring his social media activity for any potential leads.
Initially, authorities believed that the assailant had utilized a bicycle from the CitiBike sharing program to flee the scene. However, a representative from Lyft, the operator of CitiBike, later stated that they were informed by police that the bike did not belong to their fleet.
The unfortunate event disrupted UnitedHealth Group’s annual investor meeting, prompting an early conclusion to the discussions surrounding the company’s strategic direction and forecasts for the coming year. Brian Thompson, who leaves behind two sons, had been with UnitedHealthcare since 2004, serving as CEO for over three years. Under his leadership, UnitedHealthcare became the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans in the United States, also overseeing health insurance for various employer and government programs.
The governor of Minnesota, Tim Walz, expressed his condolences on social media, stating that the state sends its prayers to Thompson’s family and the entire UnitedHealthcare team. Walz characterized the news as horrifying and emphasized the profound impact of Thompson’s loss on both the business and healthcare communities in Minnesota.