What To Know About The UnitedHealthcare CEO Murder—As NYPD Releases New Photos Of Suspect
Posted on 12/08/2024
Topline
Police released two new photos Saturday of a man they believe fatally shot UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, marking the latest development after what police said was a “brazen targeted attack” on the health insurance executive in Manhattan last week.
Key Facts
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Big Number
$50,000. That’s how much the FBI, which announced it had joined the investigation, is offering for information leading to the gunman’s arrest. The NYPD has offered a reward of up to $10,000.
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—where he reportedly bought the water bottle police found—near the Hilton before waiting outside of the hotel.
What Was On The Bullet Casings 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 first reported Thursday, citing anonymous police sources. Though police have not named a motive in the killing, the words echo a common phrase—“delay, deny, defend”—describing allegations thrown at insurance companies that are accused of avoiding paying claims whenever they can. UnitedHealthcare and and other health insurance companies “have become frequent targets of criticism” for denying claims and making it harder to get care, the Associated Press reported earlier this year.
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. 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.
Key Background
Thompson–a Minnesota resident–was 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.
Further Reading
Who Is Brian Thompson? UnitedHealthcare CEO Fatally Shot After Being Threatened (Forbes)
UnitedHealthcare CEO Fatally Shot In NYC: Police Still Searching For Gunman (Forbes)
Police released two new photos Saturday of a man they believe fatally shot UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, marking the latest development after what police said was a “brazen targeted attack” on the health insurance executive in Manhattan last week.
Key Facts
Get Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts: We’re launching text message alerts so you'll always know the biggest stories shaping the day’s headlines. Text “Alerts” to (201) 335-0739 or sign up here.
Big Number
$50,000. That’s how much the FBI, which announced it had joined the investigation, is offering for information leading to the gunman’s arrest. The NYPD has offered a reward of up to $10,000.
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—where he reportedly bought the water bottle police found—near the Hilton before waiting outside of the hotel.
What Was On The Bullet Casings 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 first reported Thursday, citing anonymous police sources. Though police have not named a motive in the killing, the words echo a common phrase—“delay, deny, defend”—describing allegations thrown at insurance companies that are accused of avoiding paying claims whenever they can. UnitedHealthcare and and other health insurance companies “have become frequent targets of criticism” for denying claims and making it harder to get care, the Associated Press reported earlier this year.
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. 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.
Key Background
Thompson–a Minnesota resident–was 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.
Further Reading
Who Is Brian Thompson? UnitedHealthcare CEO Fatally Shot After Being Threatened (Forbes)
UnitedHealthcare CEO Fatally Shot In NYC: Police Still Searching For Gunman (Forbes)
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