UPDATED: Shooter of United Healthcare CEO Used Fake ID to 'Become a Ghost' Before Attack; Backpack Found

“He attempted to disappear as a ghost, essentially, and the strategy he employed was ‘Let me blend in with the crowd,'” explained retired NYPD sergeant Felipe Rodriguez to CNN. Surveillance footage displayed the assailant making his escape on an e-bike into Central Park, which Rodriguez noted as a ‘perfect spot to switch clothing’ for evading identification.

He added: “He already knows that we’ve already picked up at least his clothing to be able to broadcast over police radio, so what you wanna do is quickly change out of that.”

Photos of the suspect smiling while his mask was lowered in a flirtatious moment with a hostel clerk may not help authorities identify him if he’s never been arrested before, Rodriguez said.

“We might not have the right angle for biometrics, and the more you pixelated a shot, the more you actually lose the identity.”

Despite his efforts, the suspect left behind several critical pieces of evidence that could lead authorities to identify him. Retired FBI supervisory special agent Steve Moore said the shooter had planned the shooting well but also made mistakes. “What surprises me is how well planned the actual attack was, and at the same time how sloppy the killer was in his movements, in his showing his face, in leaving behind items,” he told CNN.

He added: “There’s kind of a dichotomy. It’s almost as if he read a book on how to do one of these attacks and didn’t read it carefully. He just made serious mistakes as he went along.”

The authorities have yet to identify the assailant, but Moore believes a breakthrough could be imminent due to photographic evidence of the suspect’s face and other physical evidence found near the scene. One such clue is a water bottle and coffee cup he threw into a trash can near a Starbucks shortly before carrying out the shooting. This could provide critical DNA evidence if he drank from it. Also, investigators found a smudged fingerprint on the bottle.

New video evidence also showed that the shooter dumped another object into a pile of trash on the ground near the Stage Star Deli on West 55th Street just minutes before the shooting.

The footage, obtained by Newsweek, shows the man pausing at a pile of white plastic bags, leaning forward, and putting a small object on one of the bags before walking toward the Hilton, where he murdered Thompson.

He is next seen about 10 minutes later walking by a parking lot on 54th Street, just one street away. That suggests there was some delay between 55th and 54th street as he continued toward the Hilton Hotel, where Thompson was due to address a UnitedHealthcare investor meeting. As he walks by the parking lot he has his hand to his face, either talking on a cellphone or shielding his face from a CCTV camera.

  

The authorities are also searching for the shooter’s backpack in Central Park, according to The Independent. The report notes that video footage showed the suspect leaving the park without the backpack which can clearly be seen on his back in the footage showing the shooting. The shooter is believed to have left New York City as investigators continue their efforts to identify and locate him.

The backpack was found in Central Park on Friday, three days after the shooting, hours after police officials told CNN that the gunman had fled New York City by bus.

As this is a swiftly developing story, RedState will provide updates as warranted.

You May Also Like
Justin Bieber hits out at Hollywood 'bullies' in concerning post as he puts on united front with wife Hailey

Justin Bieber stands up against Hollywood ‘bullies’ in a worrying post while showing solidarity with wife Hailey

Justin Bieber shared a bold message on Friday, criticizing ‘Hollywood bullies’ following…
Flight crew delayed asking for medical help for man in crisis who later died, lawsuit alleges

Lawsuit alleges flight crew caused delay in seeking medical assistance for man who later died

A lawsuit states that a 62-year-old man passed away after experiencing a…
Beyonce mercilessly mocked as tickets for 'flop' Cowboy Carter tour reach same price as a McDonald's meal

Beyonce ridiculed as ticket prices for failed Cowboy Carter tour drop to cost of a meal at McDonald’s.

Beyonce has been ridiculed by music fans after tickets for her struggling…
Eruption warning updated for massive volcano as 300,000 Americans prepare for disaster

Update: 300,000 Americans Prepare for Disaster as Massive Volcano Eruption Warning Issued

Alaska’s Mount Spurr has experienced 66 earthquakes in the last week, signaling…
Luigi Mangione heads to federal court as DOJ debuts death penalty 'shift': ex-federal prosecutor

Luigi Mangione Appears in Federal Court as Department of Justice Changes Stance on Death Penalty: Former Federal Prosecutor

Luigi Mangione is set to appear in federal court on Friday afternoon…
Illegal Alien Soccer Coach Charged With Sexually Assaulting, Murdering Player Refused Background Checks

Soccer Coach Without Legal Permission Accused of Assaulting and Killing Player Denied Background Checks

After 13-year-old Oscar Omar Hernandez was sexually assaulted and killed, allegedly by…
Coequal Branches? It’s Time for Trump to Stick It to the Judiciary

Is it Time for Trump to Challenge the Judiciary as Equal Branches of Government?

I’m not talking about packing the court or lawlessness across the country,…
Doctor reveals the 5-second trick he never skips on cruise ships - and says it could save lives

Doctor shares life-saving 5-second trick he always uses onboard cruise ships

Before starting his holiday at sea, a travel expert shared a simple…
Democrats' New Scheme to Bully El Salvador Into Sending MS-13 Gangbanger Garcia Back to U.S.

Democratic Plan to Pressure El Salvador to Return MS-13 Gang Member Garcia to the United States

When it comes down to it, Democrats are essentially seen as typical…
‘North Of North’s Dogsledding Fetish Sex Scene Is One Of A Kind — And Even Had Star Anna Lambe Feeling “Mortified”

“Unique Dogsledding Sex Scene in ‘North Of North’ Leaves Star Anna Lambe Feeling Embarrassed”

It might be cold in Ice Cove, Nunavut — but North of…
Illegal immigrant headed to prison for Las Vegas showgirl murder had criminal record in sanctuary state

A person who entered the country illegally is going to jail for killing a Las Vegas showgirl and had a previous criminal record in a sanctuary state.

An illegal immigrant from Guatemala will serve two consecutive life sentences for…
Ex-New Mexico judge, wife tried to hide evidence of illegal alien gangbanger, DOJ prosecutors say

Former New Mexico judge and his wife allegedly attempted to conceal evidence related to an illegal immigrant involved in gang activity, according to Department of Justice prosecutors.

A former New Mexico judge and his wife allegedly tried to hide…