A chilling gun attack has targeted the CEO of the State Accident Insurance Fund (SAIF), Chip Terhune, at his $1.68 million home in Lake Oswego, Oregon. This incident, which took place early Friday morning, bears eerie similarities to the brutal murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last year in New York.
Early morning attack leaves CEO shaken
Around 4 a.m., the unknown assailant took aim at Terhune’s home. Surveillance footage shows the attacker dressed in dark clothing, possibly wearing a hoodie or ski mask, and carrying a light-colored object. The gunman fled on foot, leaving the CEO’s front door shattered. Three bullets hit the glass, leaving behind a trail of destruction. The door was quickly boarded up to secure the property.
At first, Terhune mistook the attack for rocks being thrown at his home. It wasn’t until later that he realized it was a targeted shooting. The next day, he sent an email to his staff at SAIF, informing them of the disturbing situation.
Threatening email sent to SAIF employees
In his email, Terhune revealed that SAIF had received a threatening message linked to the attack. The sender claimed to be responsible for the gunfire. The email contained a list of employees’ names and addresses, some of which were inaccurate and sourced from internet searches. Despite the inaccuracies, Terhune urged his employees to stay vigilant and aware of their surroundings.
CEO uncertain of the motivation behind the attack
Though Terhune expressed uncertainty about being personally targeted, he reassured his team that he was doing well and was ready to return to work. He has since been cooperating with local police in the investigation. Authorities are working tirelessly to identify the assailant, who remains at large as of Thursday.
Chilling link to Brian Thompson’s murder
The attack on Terhune’s home bears striking similarities to the slaying of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Last December, Thompson was gunned down outside a Manhattan hotel. His assassin, 26-year-old Luigi Mangione, was arrested in Altoona, Pennsylvania, just days later. He was found with a 3D-printed “ghost gun” and extradited to New York to face charges for Thompson’s murder.
Mangione’s arrest sparked a wave of public reaction, with some expressing outrage over the murder and others bizarrely showing support for the killer. His supporters created a fan club, raised money for his legal defense, and flooded him with fan mail, including numerous photos. Mangione has even requested that no more than five photos be sent to him at a time due to the overwhelming number of images arriving daily.
Courtroom drama and more copycat threats
The courtroom where Mangione faced charges saw crowds of supporters, with one truck even circling the building with a giant image of the accused dressed as a saint. The next hearing in his case is set for March 19, where he faces federal charges.
Meanwhile, authorities are investigating other possible copycat incidents. A woman in Florida, Briana Boston, 42, was arrested after allegedly threatening BlueCross BlueShield over a rejected medical claim. She made similar threats to the ones found at the scene of Thompson’s murder, further fueling fears of copycat violence.
A growing trend of targeting insurance executives
The attack on Chip Terhune is not an isolated event. The disturbing trend of violence against healthcare executives and insurance companies seems to be on the rise. Terhune’s experience and the murder of Thompson serve as chilling reminders of the growing tensions in the healthcare industry.
As authorities continue to investigate these attacks, it’s clear that the situation is more than just random violence. The rise of threats and violent incidents linked to healthcare and insurance companies raises significant concerns. Experts are urging companies to take extra precautions and ensure the safety of their executives and employees in the wake of these alarming events.
For now, the gunman who targeted Terhune remains at large. Lake Oswego police are still searching for clues to identify the shooter, while Terhune and his team at SAIF are left to pick up the pieces of a terrifying attack that has shaken them to their core.
This terrifying incident highlights the increasing risks faced by executives in high-profile industries. The growing culture of hostility and violence towards those in charge of large organizations like SAIF demands urgent attention.
