The CEO of UnitedHealthcare was fatally shot Wednesday morning in what police said appears to be a “premeditated, pre-planned targeted attack” outside the New York Hilton hotel in downtown Manhattan.
Brian Thompson, 50, was on his way to speak at the UnitedHealth Group investor conference when the gunman approached from behind and “fired several shots,” Police Chief Jessica Tisch said at a news conference.
He was hit at least once in the back and at least once in the right calf, Tisch said, adding that the gunman “lurked for several minutes.”
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“Many people passed by the suspect, but he appeared to be waiting for his intended target,” she said.
Brian Thompson was named CEO of UnitedHealthcare in April 2021.
Surveillance video shows Thompson, wearing a blue suit, walking down the relatively quiet street. The gunman approaches him from behind and opens fire, which can be seen.
Thompson staggers forward as a witness runs to safety. The gunman continues shooting as Thompson falls to the ground, the video shows.
Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said the gunman arrived on the scene about five minutes before the shooting and fired at Thompson’s back.
“The shooter then walks toward the victim and continues shooting. It appears the weapon malfunctions as he clears the jam and begins shooting again,” he said.
Three live 9mm bullets and three fired 9mm shell casings were found at the scene, as well as a mobile phone near the scene.
Kenny reiterated that the shooting appears to have been a targeted attack.
“The motive for this killing is currently unknown, but based on the evidence we have so far, it appears the victim was specifically targeted,” he told reporters. “But at this point we don’t know why.”
Thompson, who lives in Minnesota, was pronounced dead at Mount Sinai West.
His wife, Paulette Thompson, said he had received threats.
“There had been some threats,” she told NBC News. ‘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.”
She said police told her it appeared the shooting was “a planned attack.”
The gunman fled on foot and then on a rental bicycle, Tisch said. He was last seen in Central Park. As of Wednesday morning, no arrests had been made, according to police. Crime Stoppers is offering a $10,000 reward for information.
A security camera image shows the person wanted in connection with the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York.
Police said the shooter was wearing a black hoodie and black pants and was carrying a gray backpack. It is believed he used a firearm with a silencer, a person familiar with the matter told CNBC.
A food cart vendor near the scene told NBC News that he heard no gunshots but saw police vehicles and two helicopters in the area.
UnitedHealth Group, the parent company, held its annual investor conference in New York City on Wednesday morning but abruptly ended it due to a “very serious medical situation” with a team member.
The company said in a statement that it was “deeply saddened and shocked.”
“Brian was a highly respected colleague and friend to all who worked with him,” the statement said. “Our thoughts go out to Brian’s family and everyone who was close to him.”
Police cover evidence with paper cups at the scene where Thompson was shot.
According to his biography page, Thompson was named CEO of UnitedHealthcare in April 2021. He joined UnitedHealth Group in 2004.
Previously, he served as CEO of UnitedHealthcare’s government programs, including Medicare & Retirement and Community & State. He was also the CEO of UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement.
Thompson is survived by his wife and two sons.
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
