People walk next to a poster outside the Hilton hotel near the scene where the CEO of UnitedHealthcare Brian Thompson was shot dead in Midtown Manhattan, in New York City, U.S., December 5, 2024. REUTERS/Mike Segar
NYPD Searches for Suspect in Targeted Killing of UnitedHealth Executive Brian Thompson
New York City police are searching for the masked gunman who killed Brian Thompson, CEO of UnitedHealthcare, in what officials describe as a premeditated and targeted attack. Thompson was shot from behind outside the Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan on Wednesday morning, just before UnitedHealth’s annual investor conference.
Details of the Attack
- Method: Security footage shows the assailant waiting outside the hotel before ambushing Thompson, 50, as he walked past. The suspect fired from behind, ignoring other passers-by, and fled on an electric bike into Central Park.
- Appearance: The suspect was dressed in a hooded sweatshirt, a ski mask, and a gray backpack. NYPD released enhanced photos of the gunman, asking for the public’s help in identifying him.
- Clues: Shell casings at the scene were engraved with the words “deny,” “defend,” and “depose,” evoking themes from a 2010 book critical of the insurance industry.
Police Investigation
The NYPD confirmed the killing was premeditated and meticulously planned, though a motive remains unclear. Investigators searched a hostel on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, where the suspect is believed to have stayed, and are leveraging the city’s extensive surveillance network to track his movements.
At a press conference, Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said:
“Every indication is that this was a premeditated, preplanned, targeted attack.”
Thompson’s Career and UnitedHealth
- Role: Thompson had been with UnitedHealth since 2004, serving as CEO of its insurance unit, UnitedHealthcare, since April 2021.
- Challenges: He led the company through significant challenges, including the fallout from a large-scale data breach at its Change Healthcare unit, which disrupted medical services and reimbursement processes.
- Legacy: UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty described Thompson as a “truly extraordinary person” in a video to employees.
Personal Impact
Thompson’s wife, Paulette, confirmed he had received threats related to his work but was unaware of specific details. She remembered him as a devoted father to their two sons and a loving, generous man.
“Brian was an incredibly loving father to our two sons and will be greatly missed,” she said.
The family previously reported an incident of suspicious activity in 2018 when the deadbolt on their Maple Grove, Minnesota, home began turning, though no break-in occurred.
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