The CEO of one of America’s largest health insurers was shot dead in Manhattan on Wednesday morning in what police described as a “brazen, targeted attack.”
Brian Thompson, 50, CEO of UnitedHealthcare, was shot outside the downtown hotel where its parent company, UnitedHealth Group (UNH), was scheduled to hold its investor conference Wednesday morning.
“At this point, all indications are that this was a premeditated, pre-planned, targeted attack,” NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said at a news conference Wednesday.
The suspected gunman lay in wait for several minutes and approached Thompson from behind when the director entered the conference hotel and fired several rounds, Tisch said. Thompson was shot at least twice, in the back and in the leg. He was pronounced dead at Mount Sinai West Hospital.
“We are deeply saddened and shocked by the passing of our dear friend and colleague,” UnitedHealth said in a statement Wednesday. “Brian was a highly respected colleague and friend to all who worked with him.” The company says it works closely with the NYPD.
The shooter is still being sought. The NYPD has asked the public for help in the case and is offering a $10,000 reward for information about the murder.
According to witnesses, the suspect, described by detectives as a light-skinned man, stood ready before he started shooting. He fled on foot and then rode away on an e-bike. He was last seen in Central Park.
The shooting occurred shortly before 7 a.m. ET. Police collected three live bullets and three fired shell casings at the scene. While they don’t have a motive, investigators say they believe Thompson was specifically targeted.
“There had been some threats,” Thompson’s wife, Paulette Thompson, told NBC News on Wednesday. ‘Basically I don’t know, a lack of reporting? I don’t know the details. All I know is that he said there were people threatening him.”
Security measures for business leaders are common at most large companies, but can vary in scope and scale.
In its 2024 proxy statement, UnitedHealth disclosed that Andrew Witty, its CEO, “is required to use business aircraft for all business travel for personal safety reasons and is encouraged to use business aircraft for all personal travel.” The company did not disclose any additional costs or security measures that other executives or board members would require.
As a division head, Thompson had a lower public profile than the CEO of UnitedHealth, even though he led a company that provided health insurance to nearly 50 million Americans.
Thompson was scheduled to appear at the conference on Wednesday, with events kicking off in the morning. UnitedHealth’s Witty stopped the investor conference shortly after 9 a.m. ET, telling the crowd, “We are dealing with a very serious medical situation,” according to Bloomberg.
Mayor Eric Adams echoed investigators Wednesday, saying the attack appeared targeted. “We want to make it clear to New Yorkers that this does not appear to be a random act of violence,” he said.
Thompson was named CEO of UnitedHealthcare in April 2021 and previously held other leadership positions, including head of UnitedHealthcare’s government programs and Medicare and pensions. He joined UnitedHealth Group in 2004.
The unit Thompson managed, by far the company’s largest, generated $74 billion in revenue last quarter. Annual revenue in 2023 grew by almost 13% compared to the previous year to $281.4 billion. This includes a growth of 1 million customers compared to 2022.
UnitedHealth shares rose 0.8% on Wednesday. The company announced 2025 financial targets on Tuesday, showing adjusted earnings per share will rise to $29.50-$30.00 from $27.50-$27.75 in 2024.
Yahoo Finance’s Rachel Sherman contributed to this story.
Hamza Shaban is a reporter for Yahoo Finance covering markets and the economy. Follow Hamza on X @hshaban.
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