NYPD Searches for Assailant in Fatal Shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO

New York City police are conducting a search for a masked individual who shot and killed the chief executive of a prominent American health insurance company, in what investigators have characterized as a “brazen, targeted attack.” Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, was fatally shot in the back on Wednesday morning outside the Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan. He had been scheduled to address an investor conference at the hotel later that day. Officials reported that the 50-year-old father of two, who also sustained a gunshot wound to the leg, was transported to a hospital where he was pronounced dead mere minutes after the incident. Investigators stated that they have not yet determined a motive for the assailant, who fled the scene without taking any of the victim’s possessions. Police have put forward a $10,000 (£7,800) reward. The assault took place around 06:45 EST (11:45 GMT) in one of Manhattan’s busiest districts, close to the popular tourist attractions of Times Square and Central Park, an area where gun violence is exceptionally uncommon. Police are utilizing drones, helicopters, K9 units, and thousands of CCTV cameras to systematically search the city, street by street, in an effort to locate the perpetrator. New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch declared at a press conference: “Every indication is that this was a premeditated, pre-planned, targeted attack.” According to police, the suspect, dressed in a black face mask and a cream jacket, appeared to have been waiting for Thompson for five minutes outside the hotel. The attacker was also recorded by a surveillance camera at a Starbucks less than two blocks away, minutes before the shooting. When Thompson arrived unaccompanied and on foot at the Hilton, the shooter emerged onto the sidewalk from behind a vehicle and fired a shot into his back. Police sources indicated that the victim had been staying at the Marriott, another hotel located down the street. Surveillance video of the incident indicates that the suspect used a silencer on the firearm when he opened fire, police report. NYPD chief of detectives Joseph Kenny noted that the gun reportedly jammed, but the suspect managed to quickly resolve the issue and continue shooting. Commissioner Tisch stated that the assailant initially fled the scene on foot before acquiring a bicycle of some kind and proceeding towards Central Park, where he was last observed. Officials initially reported that the suspect used an electric Citi Bike, owned by Lyft. However, Lyft, the owner and operator of Citi Bike, later clarified that the NYPD had informed them that one of their vehicles was not involved, as reported by CBS News, the BBC’s US partner. Paulette Thompson, the victim’s wife, revealed during a telephone conversation with NBC News that her husband had been receiving threats. “There had been some threats,” she stated. “Basically, I don’t know, a lack of [medical] coverage? I don’t know details. “I just know that he said there were some people that had been threatening him.” New York Governor Kathy Hochul confirmed that law enforcement had briefed her on the “horrific and targeted” shooting. In a statement, she said: “Our hearts are with the family and loved ones of Mr Thompson and we are committed to ensuring the perpetrator is brought to justice.” UnitedHealthcare’s parent company, UnitedHealth Group, expressed profound sorrow and shock regarding the death of their esteemed friend and colleague. The group’s statement read: “Brian was a highly respected colleague and friend to all who worked with him.” Felipe Rodriguez, a former NYPD detective, informed CBS News, the BBC’s US affiliate, that he was “amazed” by the attack. He commented: “The fact that he [the suspect] was able to clear these jams in such an efficient manner shows that he is very proficient with firearms.” Thompson, who resided in a suburb of Minneapolis, Minnesota, began his professional life as a certified public accountant. He joined UnitedHealthcare — the largest private insurer in the US — in 2004 and was appointed chief executive in 2021. Last year, he earned $10.2 million. In May, he was cited in a legal complaint initiated by a pension fund, which claimed fraud and unlawful insider trading. UnitedHealth Group, UnitedHealthcare’s parent company, called off its investor conference following the shooting. A statement from the Thompson family read: “We are shattered to hear about the senseless killing of our beloved Brian. “Brian was an incredibly loving, generous, talented man who truly lived life to the fullest and touched so many lives.”