New York police are actively searching for the masked gunman who shot and killed Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealth’s insurance unit, on a Midtown Manhattan sidewalk. The shooting occurred early Wednesday, just before the company’s annual investor conference at the Hilton on Sixth Avenue.
Thompson, 50, a father of two, was shot from behind in what authorities describe as a brazen and targeted attack. In their investigation, police have been reviewing surveillance videos and have released multiple images of the suspect captured by security cameras during his time in New York. The assailant was last seen riding an electric bicycle into Central Park.
Police have offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest
To aid in the investigation, police have offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the shooter. Notably, shell casings found at the scene bore the words “deny,” “defend,” and “depose,” which are reminiscent of the title of Jay Feinman’s 2010 book, “Delay Deny Defend: Why Insurance Companies Don’t Pay Claims and What You Can Do About It.” Feinman, a professor emeritus at Rutgers University Law School, declined to comment on the connection.
UnitedHealth is the largest health insurer in the United States, providing coverage to millions of Americans. Thompson joined the company in 2004 and became CEO of UnitedHealthcare in April 2021.
Investigators believe the suspect arrived in New York City on November 24 after traveling from Atlanta by bus. He reportedly checked into a hostel using fake identification and paid in cash. Detectives suspect that the shooter is experienced with firearms, as he executed the attack slowly and deliberately.
Security footage shows the gunman, dressed in a hooded sweatshirt, ski mask, and gray backpack, approaching Thompson from behind and firing at him. Police reported that the shooter waited outside the hotel for several minutes before the attack, ignoring other pedestrians.
In addition to the surveillance footage, police discovered a phone in an alley that the gunman fled through, as well as a water bottle he purchased shortly before the shooting. However, a fingerprint found on the bottle was too smudged to provide useful information.
New York City boasts one of the most advanced surveillance systems in the country, developed largely in response to the September 11, 2001 attacks. The city is equipped with thousands of cameras, allowing real-time monitoring and review of past footage, enhanced by facial recognition technology.
As the investigation continues, authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward to assist in bringing the suspect to justice.
