A manhunt was still underway Thursday for the masked gunman who fled downtown Manhattan after fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in what police the morning before called a “premeditated, pre-planned targeted attack.” .
The suspect, who was described by New York City police as a “light-skinned male” wearing a “tan or cream-colored jacket,” a black face mask and a “very distinctive” gray backpack at the time of the shooting, remains in general. According to the NYPD, he fled first on foot and then by electric bicycle. Police initially identified the e-bike as a Citi Bike, which has GPS tracking, but Lyft, which operates the bike-sharing system, later said police informed the company that a Citi Bike was not being used.
New York Mayor Eric Adams told MSNBC Thursday morning that officials are “on the right track” in their search for suspects.
A senior New York City law enforcement official briefed on the investigation told NBC News Thursday that shell casings found at the scene of the shooting had the words “deny,” “defend” and “deposit” written on them. Those words are also similar to those in the title of a 2010 book about insurance, although police have said there is no known connection at this time.
An image released by the NYPD shows the person wanted in connection with the shooting.
Thompson, 50, had traveled from Minnesota to New York City this week for an investor conference. Police said he was walking to the Hilton hotel early Wednesday to speak at the conference when he was shot.
Police have not identified a motive for the shooting but say it does not appear to be a random act. According to security footage of the shooting, the gunman appeared to have been waiting for Thompson, police said.
A senior New York City law enforcement official briefed on the investigation told NBC News that the suspect had purchased a bottle of water and two protein bars at a nearby Starbucks before the shooting and later threw them away. Police have collected these items as evidence, the official said.
Brian Thompson was named CEO of UnitedHealthcare in April 2021.
This is a development story. Check back for updates.
This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
