Context: Recently, the New York Police Department unveiled images of the perpetrator who took the life of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Additionally, there is an included photo of Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealth Group.
New photos show Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, being gunned down in New York City on Wednesday by a masked suspect “proficient in the use of firearms” who calmly shoots the chief executive from behind — “quickly” clearing a gun malfunction before opening fire on him a second time — and then escaping through Central Park on a bicycle, according to police officials.
“It appears, at this early stage of our investigation, to be a brazen targeted attack,” said New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch at a press conference on Wednesday afternoon, during which the photos of Thompson’s alleged killer were released.
“This does not appear to be a random act of violence,” Tisch said. “It appears the suspect was lying in wait for several minutes. … The suspect approached from behind and fired several rounds, striking [Thompson] at least once in the back and at least once in the right calf. Many people passed the suspect but he appeared to wait for his intended target.”
Thompson, 50, was gunned down outside the New York Hilton Hotel in midtown Manhattan while he was getting ready to walk inside at around 6:46 a.m., according to the New York Police Department.
Cops told Law&Crime that Thompson, who was first identified by The New York Times, was found outside the Hilton “unconscious and unresponsive.” He was transported to a local hospital in critical condition before being pronounced dead, according to NYPD officials.
A manhunt is currently underway for the gunman, who first fled on foot before hopping on a Citi Bike and escaping through Central Park, where he disappeared. He is described by police officials as wearing a black face mask, “cream-colored” jacket and a “prominent” gray backpack. Officials say Thompson was heading to UnitedHealthcare’s annual investor conference and had arrived early at the Hilton to prepare.
“We’re dealing with a very serious medical situation with one of our team members,” UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty told attendees on Wednesday morning, according to Barron’s magazine. “As a result I’m afraid we’re going to have to bring to a close the event today.”
Sources told the Times that the gunman was aware of which door Thompson was going to enter on Wednesday morning and shot him from “mere feet away” before jumping on a bicycle and pedaling away, the paper reports. Tisch and other NYPD officials who spoke at the press conference on Wednesday afternoon confirmed that the attack was targeted, but didn’t say whether the suspect knew which door Thompson was going to enter.
“At this time, every indication is that this was a premeditated, preplanned targeted attack,” Tisch said.
NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny told reporters that a cellphone was found in a nearby alley, which has helped indicate that the attack was planned, but he wouldn’t say how. One of the biggest questions surrounding Thompson’s murder is how the suspect was able to use a Citi Bike to flee, whether it be through a membership plan with the bike sharing company or a one-time payment that people can make for a single ride.
“We don’t have video or witness confirmation on how he obtained that bike,” Kenny said.
The chief noted how the suspect appeared to be skilled with a pistol, telling reporters that while he couldn’t confirm whether he was “a professional” or not, the signs all pointed to him being experienced after he was caught on video quickly clearing a “jam” in the gun before opening fire again.
“It seems he’s proficient in the use of firearms as he’s able to clear the malfunction fairly quickly,” Kenny said.
Thompson, who is a Minnesota resident, was named chief executive officer for UnitedHealthcare in April 2021. He’s been with UnitedHealth Group since 2004 and had previously served as CEO of UnitedHealthcare government programs. He arrived in NYC alone, according to police officials, and was not using a security detail.
“The motive is unknown, but based on evidence it appears the victim was specifically targeted,” Kenny said. “But it does not appear why.”
