The CEO of UnitedHealthcare, one of the largest health insurers in the US, was shot dead in downtown Manhattan on Wednesday, police confirmed at a news conference.
Brian Thompson, 50, was shot just after 6:45 a.m. outside the Hilton hotel at 1335 Avenue of the Americas after arriving early for the company’s annual investor conference. A man wearing a mask approached him and shot him repeatedly, police said.
Police said they believe Thompson was the target of the attack. This was a “brazen, targeted attack,” New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said, adding that this “does not appear to be a random act of violence.”
“I want to be clear at this point: all indications are that this was a premeditated, pre-planned, targeted attack,” she added.
New York Police Department Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said Thompson was found by police on the sidewalk in front of the Hilton with gunshot wounds to his back and leg. He was rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital in critical condition and was pronounced dead at 7:12 a.m.
The gunman arrived at the location on foot about five minutes before Thompson’s arrival, police said. Surveillance footage shows Thompson was seen walking alone toward the Hilton at 6:44 a.m.
Police said video showed the gunman appearing to ignore other pedestrians. Officials said he approached Thompson from behind and shot him in the back before advancing on the victim and continuing to shoot.
Authorities said the gun appeared to malfunction, and the gunman cleared the blockade before firing again and fleeing north into an alley between 54th and 55th streets. The gunman then continued west on the Avenue of the Americas, where he hopped on an electric Citi Bike and headed north toward Central Park.
Police say they recovered three live 9mm bullets and three fired 9mm shell casings. Authorities also seized a mobile phone.
The gunman appeared to be a light-skinned man, authorities said, and was wearing a tan or cream-colored jacket, a black face mask, black and white sneakers and a distinctive gray backpack.
Police are searching for the shooter and are offering up to $10,000 for information about Thompson’s death, as stated in a recently released flyer with two surveillance photos. The flyer shows a photo of a suspect, wearing all black with a gray backpack, holding a firearm, and another of the suspect on a bicycle.
The New York Times also reported that the suspect allegedly knew which door Thompson would enter and shot him several times from just a few feet away before fleeing.
Officials have said no arrests have been made and the investigation continues. The motive is currently unknown.
Thompson’s wife, Paulette Thompson, told NBC News that her husband had received threats.
“There had been some threats,” she said. “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.”
She also told the newspaper that police told her it appeared the shooting was “a planned attack.”
‘I can’t really give a thoughtful answer at the moment. I just discovered this and I’m trying to comfort my children,” she added.
UnitedHealthcare released a statement about the incident shortly after noon ET.
“We are deeply saddened and shocked by the passing of our dear friend and colleague Brian Thompson, CEO of UnitedHealthcare,” the statement said.
“Brian was a highly respected colleague and friend to all who worked with him. We are working closely with the New York Police Department and ask for your patience and understanding during this difficult time. Our thoughts go out to Brian’s family and everyone who was close to him.”
UnitedHealth Group, owner of United Healthcare, was scheduled to host its annual investor conference at 8 a.m. local time on Wednesday.
Two buildings associated with the company had their flags — American flags, Minnesota flags and corporate flags — flying at half-mast. There was a police officer outside one building, but the buildings were otherwise quiet.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the New York Hilton Midtown said: “We are deeply saddened by this morning’s events in the area and our thoughts are with everyone affected by the tragedy.” It directed further questions to the New York Police Department.
Amar Abdelmula, a driver who witnessed the incident, told ABC News that he heard “the shot.” He said: “It was a silent gun, a black gun.” He said he saw the gunman running across the street and tried to take a photo, but he was too far away.
“I was shocked,” Abdelmula said. He said he was also afraid of being shot: “I saw everything.”
New York Mayor Eric Adams said it did not appear it was a random attack and that police were reviewing evidence at the scene, including video.
“This was not just a random act of violence,” Adams said. “It appears that an individual is clearly being targeted and we will arrest that individual.”
Thompson was named CEO of UnitedHealthcare in April 2021, according to the company. Prior to this role, he served as CEO of UnitedHealthcare’s government programs, including Medicare and Pensions, and Community and State. Before leading government programs, Thompson was CEO of UnitedHealthcare Medicare and Pension.
Thompson, who lives in Minnesota, joined UnitedHealth Group in 2004.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz called the shooting “horrific news and a terrible loss for Minnesota’s business community and health care system.”
“Minnesota sends our prayers to Brian’s family and the UnitedHealthcare team,” Walz added.
The police department in the town where Thompson lives – Maple Grove, Minnesota – said it notified the Thompson family of his killing this morning, at the request of the New York City Police Department. “We extend our deepest condolences to the Thompson family during this homicide. difficult time,” the department said in a statement.
U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who represents Minnesota, called the shooting a “heinous and shocking act of violence,” adding, “My thoughts are with the family and loved ones of Brian Thompson and everyone who works at UnitedHealthcare in Minnesota.”
Brian Thompson’s sister-in-law, Elena Reveiz, told the New York Times that she was still processing the news of Thompson’s death.
“He was a good person, and I’m so sad,” Reveiz said, adding that Thompson was a good father to his two children. Reveiz said she was on her way to be with their family.
