Topline
Police are reportedly investigating DNA, a water bottle and a burner phone that may be linked to the suspected gunman who fatally shot Brian Thompson, the chief executive of private health insurer UnitedHealthcare, in Manhattan on Wednesday in what officers say was a “brazen targeted attack.”
A New York police officer stands outside the Hilton Hotel in midtown Manhattan where Brian Thompson, … [+]
Key Facts
Thompson was shot in the back and right calf outside of the New York Hilton Midtown just before 7 a.m. Wednesday morning and was rushed to Mount Sinai West in critical condition where he was pronounced dead, NYPD officials said at a press conference Wednesday.
A senior law enforcement official told The New York Times on Thursday the shooter used a fake New Jersey ID on Nov. 30 to book a room at an Upper West Side hostel he stayed at before killing Thompson.
Detectives obtained DNA evidence that is now being examined by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, The New York Times reported Friday, but it’s unclear where the DNA was taken from and whether it will match existing DNA in a law enforcement database.
Police also recovered a burner phone and water bottle in an alley near where the shooting took place, that could give fingerprints or information on who the shooter is if police can unlock the phone, CNN reported, citing anonymous officials.
Police believe the shooting suspect arrived in New York in late November on a bus that left from Atlanta—though they don’t know where he boarded it—and Greyhound bus officials told CNN they are fully cooperating with law enforcement.
The New York Police Department released photos of the suspect Thursday, which show most of his face and he appears to be wearing a green jacket, a black face mask around his neck, and a backpack.
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How Did The Shooting Happen?
Video footage of the shooting shows the suspect walking behind Thompson, who was wearing a blue suit and appeared to be heading to the Hilton hotel alone. Thompson didn’t have a security detail and left his hotel alone, said Joe Kenny, the New York City Police Department’s chief of detectives, citing UnitedHealth employees. The suspect had checked out of the New York International Hostel in the Upper West Side Wednesday morning, The New York Times reported, and visited a Starbucks—where he reportedly bought the water bottle police found—near the Hilton before waiting outside of the hotel.
What Was On The Bullet Casings At The Scene?
Officers found three 9mm rounds at the scene, Kenny said. Bullet casings that were found had the words “deny,” “defend” and “depose” written on them, ABC News first reported Thursday, citing anonymous police sources. Though police have not named a motive in the killing, the words echo a common phrase—“delay, deny, defend”—describing allegations thrown at insurance companies that are accused of avoiding paying claims whenever they can. UnitedHealthcare and and other health insurance companies “have become frequent targets of criticism” for denying claims and making it harder to get care, the Associated Press reported earlier this year.
Was Thompson Targeted?
The gunman was “lying in wait for several minutes” and ignored other passers-by before approaching and firing at Thompson from behind as he walked to the hotel, New York City police commissioner Jessica Tisch said Wednesday. Tisch called the shooting a “brazen targeted attack” that did not appear to be a random act of violence, and that “every indication” pointed to a “premeditated, pre-planned targeted attack.” Thompson’s wife Paulette Thompson told NBC News Wednesday that while she did not know specific details, she was aware that “some people had been threatening him.” While the motive behind the attack is still unknown, the suspect appeared to be “proficient in the use of firearms” as he was able to clear a malfunction in the gun, Kenny said. Footage of the shooting shows there was another person present when the suspect raised his weapon at Thompson, who fled.
Has The Suspect Been Arrested?
The suspect, who fled first on foot then on an electric bike, was last seen in Central Park and is still at large, Tisch said. He is believed to be a light-skinned man who was wearing a light brown or cream-colored coat, black and white sneakers, a black face mask and a “very distinctive” gray backpack, Kenny said prior to the release of new photos of the suspect unmasked. Police are offering $10,000 to anyone with information related to Thompson’s death. New Yorkers should “go about their daily lives” but “be alert,” NYPD chief of department Jeffrey Maddrey said Wednesday, adding that the police have deployed drones and canines across the city to find the gunman. Investigators are reportedly looking into the purchase of a gun in Connecticut to determine whether the suspect could have bought it, the Times reported.
New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch (R) participates in a press conference regarding … [+]
Key Background
Thompson–a Minnesota resident–was in New York for an investor meeting for UnitedHealthcare parent UnitedHealth Group, which was halted abruptly Wednesday after UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty said the company was “dealing with a very serious medical situation,” according to Bloomberg. UnitedHealth Group said it was “deeply saddened and shocked at the passing of our dear friend and colleague” in a statement issued Wednesday, and said it was working closely with the police.
Further Reading
Who Is Brian Thompson? UnitedHealthcare CEO Fatally Shot After Being Threatened (Forbes)
UnitedHealthcare CEO Fatally Shot In NYC: Police Still Searching For Gunman (Forbes)
