How a Mistake by United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson’s Assassin Revealed his Intent to Harm

THE suspect who allegedly gunned down United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson on a New York City street made a crucial mistake, a clinical and forensic psychologist has revealed.

Thompson, 50, was shot and killed shortly before 7 am on December 4, sparking a massive manhunt for his killer.

In the days since, cops across New York City have scrambled to piece together the alleged gunman’s identity based on key clues that have emerged.

Just minutes before the shooting, the suspect was captured on surveillance video at a Starbucks around the corner from the Hilton Hotel on West 54th Street in Midtown Manhattan – where the shooting took place.

He was also seen exiting a subway station near 57th Street and walking down the street talking on the phone.

But then, as Thompson was walking toward the Hilton to speak at a huge investor’s conference, the suspect snuck up behind him and fired multiple times, striking the CEO in the back and the leg – and ultimately killing him.

In addition to those surveillance images, the yet-unidentified man was caught on camera at a hostel while reportedly flirting with an employee.

And in stark contrast to the other snaps of the suspect at the Starbucks on West 56th Street and on the sidewalk, his mask was pulled down revealing his whole face.

But clinical and forensic psychologist Dr. Leslie Dobson told The U.S. Sun that was the killer’s crucial mistake.

“If the suspect was not wearing prosthetics, this tells me it was likely an oversight and he was excited to kill the target,” Dobson explained.

“He may be new to assassinations, and although psychopathic, this attempt had the ability to raise his emotions just enough to smile.”

While investigators work to solidify a timeline of the suspect’s movements, the smirking surveillance image was captured at the hostel prior to the shooting.

“Psychopaths are also very charismatic, cunning, and manipulative,” Dobson continued.

“Even at Starbucks, he likely wanted to be seen in a certain light.”

At the Starbucks, the suspect still had his mask pulled up over most of his face, leaving just his eyes and the bridge of his nose exposed.

What we know…

• The killer of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson remains at large as the manhunt enters its third day.
• Security camera images of a smiling man wearing a hooded jacket have been released, while a fake ID, cellphone, and DNA sample have reportedly been found.
• The killer pulled down his face mask while flirting with a hotel receptionist.
• Cops believe the assassin used a rare “World War Two spy gun” fitted with a silencer to kill Thompson.
• The killer fled into Central Park on a bike wearing a backpack, but was later spotted leaving without it.
• He arrived in New York last month after boarding a Greyhound bus that originated in Atlanta.
• Terrified CEOs are stepping up their security in the wake of the killing over fears of copycat assassination attempts.
• A $10,000 reward for any information about the killing is being offered by police.

Dobson noted the suspect’s physical appearance in these surveillance images and the role that played in the shooting.

“Individuals who commit these crimes are usually groomed into the role and trained, desperate for money, driven by emotional rage, severely mentally ill, or seeking vengeance,” Dobson explained.

“He was well dressed, appropriately groomed, clean and well-fitting stylish clothing, had a phone so he was in communication with someone, shaven face, engaging, all signs that appear to be a pre-meditated murder by a cold and callous individual.”

PIECING IT TOGETHER

As cops close in on identifying the alleged gunman, the surveillance footage has aided them in finding additional evidence.

On Friday morning – more than 48 hours after the shooting – multiple reports revealed DNA tied to the murder had been sent to a forensics lab for testing.

While it’s not clear where the DNA was obtained, on Thursday cops raided the HI New York City Hostel on Manhattan’s Upper West Side where the suspected killer is believed to have stayed before the shooting.

Cops have also said the suspect ditched a water bottle at that Starbucks location, which is also likely contributing to the DNA tests.

This leads former NYPD Lt. Darrin Porcher to believe that cops have already identified the suspect, as he told Fox Business.

On top of that, cops have begun piecing together new information about the suspect’s movements leading up to the shooting.

The alleged gunman reportedly took a Greyhound bus to New York about a week before the shooting.

That bus originated in Atlanta, but investigators are looking into where the suspect may have boarded.

“We are fully cooperating with authorities on this active investigation,” a Greyhound spokesperson told The U.S. Sun.

It’s also been revealed that despite showing his face in the surveillance footage at the hostel, the suspect used a fake ID and paid for his stay in cash.

Vice President of Hostelling International USA Danielle Brumfitt Norris told The U.S. Sun: “We are fully cooperating with the NYPD and, as this is an active investigation, can not comment at this time.”

ON THE RUN

In a city with 15,000 cameras, surveillance footage has certainly played a pivotal role in the ongoing investigation.

In the moments after the shooting, the suspect was seen running toward an alleyway on West 55th Street.

He then fled the scene on a bike, headed toward Central Park.

Footage from another part of the city reportedly showed the suspect leaving the park on a bike – but without the backpack he was sporting the entire morning up to that point.

Cops believe he dumped it somewhere in Central Park but have yet to find it.

As the search continues, the NYPD is offering a reward of $10,000 for information leading to the suspect.