Topline
Police in New York released new images of the suspected gunman who fatally shot Brian Thompson, the chief executive of private health insurer UnitedHealthcare, in Manhattan on Wednesday, which officers say was a “brazen targeted attack.”
Police officers investigate the scene where UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was fatally shot in … [+]
Key Facts
The New York Police Department released additional 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.
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.
Thompson – a Minnesota resident – was reportedly 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.
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 near the Hilton before waiting outside of the hotel.
What Did Police Find 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 reported citing anonymous police sources.
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 … [+]
Further Reading
Who Is Brian Thompson? UnitedHealthcare CEO Fatally Shot After Being Threatened (Forbes)
