Bullet casings found at the scene where UnitedHealthcare’s CEO was shot dead by a masked gunman outside a busy New York City hotel had the words “deny,” “defend” and “impeach” written on them, a high-level law in New York City enforcement official briefed on the investigation, which was confirmed to NBC News on Thursday.
Brian Thompson, 50, was killed in a “premeditated, pre-planned targeted attack” outside the New York Hilton Midtown on Sixth Avenue in the heart of Manhattan, police said.
He was on his way to speak at the UnitedHealth Group investor conference when the gunman, who had been lurking for several minutes, approached from behind and shot at least once in the back and at least once in the right calf, Police Chief Jessica Tisch told a press conference Wednesday.
Police say they do not yet know the motive of the gunman, who they say is still at large.
ABC News was the first to report the words on the bullet casings.
Thompson did not travel with personal security details, despite known threats against him.
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“There had been some threats,” Thompson’s wife, Paulette Thompson, told NBC News on Wednesday. “Basically, I don’t know, a lack of coverage? I don’t know any details. All I know is that he said there were people threatening him.”
Surveillance video showed Thompson, wearing a blue suit, walking down the street. The gunman approached him from behind and opened fire, it turned out. Thompson stumbled forward as a witness ran to safety. The gunman continued shooting as Thompson fell to the ground, the video showed.
“The shooter then walks up to the victim and continues shooting. It appears the gun malfunctions as he clears the jam and begins shooting again,” Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said.
Thompson was pronounced dead at Mount Sinai West.
“The motive for this murder is currently unknown, but based on the evidence we have so far, it appears the victim was specifically targeted,” Kenny told reporters. “But right now we don’t know why.”
Former FBI Supervisor Rob D’Amico said Wednesday that Thompson’s killing has all the makings of a personal vendetta tied to the victim’s business.
According to D’Amico, anyone could have found the high-ranking businessman’s whereabouts with a few quick Google searches. UnitedHealthcare’s website listed an investor conference set for Wednesday but did not list a location.
“Even a layman can figure out that there’s so much on the Internet these days and people are putting so much on the Internet,” says D’Amico, now a security consultant.
According to the insurance giant’s two most recent proxy statements, current or former UnitedHealth Group executives do not receive a regular, company-funded personal security service. Companies must report security costs for directors or corporate officers if the value exceeds $10,000 per year.
Two of UnitedHealthcare’s peers, Humana and Cigna, both said in their most recent proxy statements that they provide personal security to executives. However, SEC data did not reveal which executives received this protection or how much was issued.
CVS Health, another major health insurance player, is requiring its CEO to use company jets and a company driver as part of a disclosed “executive security program,” regulatory filings show.
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
