The individual believed to be responsible for the homicide of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was observed wearing a high-end backpack designed for photographers, leading to widespread speculation on social networking platforms.
The unidentified killer fatally shot Thompson, 50, outside of the Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan early on Wednesday morning.
Officers have launched a full-scale manhunt for the assailant who was caught on surveillance footage gunning down the father-of-two in cold blood.
Images shared by officers show the suspect inside a Starbucks prior to the shooting, and making his escape on a bike.
Sharp-eyed users on social media highlighted that the assailant had on a premium backpack valued at $279, a popular choice within the photography community.
‘They’re made for photographers but I guess the side door access works well for hitmen as well,’ one person posted, referring to the design.
The bag is named the Everyday Backpack and made by Peak Design and comes with built in compartments to keep photography gear separate.
After users pointed out that the shooter was using the expensive backpack, some speculated that the killer could also be a photographer.
One person said: ‘The assassin was wearing a peak design backpack, I wonder what camera he shoots with.’
One user remarked, ‘The person with the weapon is carrying an extravagant backpack intended for camera gear, featuring dual side openings, produced by Peak Design… quite intriguing.’
One other added: ‘Peak Design backpack. Probably likes cameras…hobbyist photography and/or travel. Low volume product so easy to identify.’
‘It looks like the backpack he is wearing is a Peak Design photographers backpack. That backpack is $300+ and it’s very specific for carrying camera gear’, another said.
‘He is either into photography or he is trying to look like he is a photographer’, they added.
The gunman still remains on the loose with authorities launching a full scale manhunt to find the assailant.
Witnesses said the gunman was seen waiting for some time outside the hotel before the shooting, and knew which door Thompson was going to emerge from before opening fire.
Newly appointed police commissioner Jessica Tisch said the shooter appeared to be ‘lying in wait for several minutes’ before approaching Thompson.
Sources told CNN that the man bought two powers bars and a bottle of water from the coffee chain.
Authorities found a phone and a water bottle near the scene that they believe is the one he bought from Starbucks, and could offer them DNA.
The phone could also provide fingerprints and, if technicians can unlock it, could give them an insight into his identity.
Officers also searched Thompson’s hotel room, are interviewing his UnitedHealthcare colleagues and reviewing his social media.
They have yet to establish a motive in the killing but sources told ABC 7 they are investigating a possible grudge against the insurance company.
Tisch added: ‘Many people passed the suspect, but he appeared to wait for his intended target’, and said that it did not ‘appear to be a random act of violence’.
‘From watching the video, it does seem that he’s proficient in the use of firearms as he was able to clear the malfunctions pretty quickly,’ NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said.
United is the biggest health insurer by market share in America. They have been the subject of protests by activists for allegedly systematically denying care for patients.
One such protest earlier this year led to the arrests of 11 people outside the United Healthcare headquarters in Minnetonka, Minnesota.
The company made headlines in February after it was subjected to a cyber-attack which cost $872 million.
Thompson’s wife, Paulette ‘Pauley’ Thompson, 51, has said her husband had been receiving ‘some threats’ before his trip to New York.
Thompson was also being investigated by the Department of Justice for antitrust violations and was accused of insider trading.
The department launched a probe into whether the private company was unfairly restricting competitors and running a monopoly.
He is survived by his wife and their two children who live in the family’s $1.5 million home in Maple Grove, Minnesota.
‘We are shattered to hear about the senseless killing of our beloved Brian,’ she told ABC 7 following her husband’s untimely death.
