Smiling killer: New photos show UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson’s smirking assassin

Newly released photos from the NYPD provide a closer look at the suspected assassin who fatally shot UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside the New York Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan on Wednesday morning.

Grim Details of the Shooting

Thompson, 50, was on his way to an investor conference when he was shot in the back and calf in what authorities are calling a targeted attack. The suspected gunman, described by police as a light-skinned, slender male approximately 6-foot-1, was initially seen wearing a ski mask, a light brown or cream hoodie, black-and-white sneakers, and carrying a distinctive gray backpack.

Chilling Photos Emerge

In photos released by the NYPD, the alleged shooter is seen wearing a green jacket and a black face mask around his neck. In one image, the suspect appears to be grinning, though it is unclear whether this was taken before or after the assassination.

Police have since focused their investigation on a hostel in Manhattan’s Upper West Side, where the suspect is believed to have stayed. Detectives obtained a search warrant and interviewed a worker at the Kama Central Park Hostel, who reported no sightings of the suspect. Separately, the gunman was allegedly spotted near the Frederick Douglass Houses, a public housing complex, on the day of the shooting.

Reward and Investigation

The NYPD has announced a $10,000 reward for information leading to the suspect’s arrest.

Thompson’s murder coincides with increased scrutiny of UnitedHealthcare. The company, a major player in Medicare Advantage plans, has faced a Senate investigation over its high rate of claim denials. A Senate subcommittee report revealed that UnitedHealthcare’s reliance on automated systems doubled its denial rate for post-acute care claims, such as nursing home or rehabilitation services, from 2020 to 2022.

Thompson’s Final Moments

The CEO was on his way to deliver a presentation highlighting UnitedHealthcare’s projected 2025 revenue of over $450 billion. The tragic shooting has cast a shadow over the company as it grapples with the loss of its leader and mounting regulatory challenges.

The investigation continues as authorities work to unravel the motives behind the cold-blooded murder that has shocked the business world.