NEW YORK – UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was killed Wednesday morning in a shooting outside a Midtown Manhattan hotel, the NYPD says.
A spokesperson for UnitedHealthcare told CBS News that the shooting occurred during the company’s investor conference. Thompson had been with the company since 2004 and was named CEO in 2021, according to the website.
Police sources say the 50-year-old CEO was shot once in the chest in what appears to be a targeted attack. He was rushed to Mount Sinai West, but did not survive his injuries.
N.Y.P.D
A The manhunt for the shooter has now begunwho, according to sources, left wearing a black face mask.
A law enforcement source told CBS News that investigators had recovered video of the shooting, and it appears the suspect had been waiting for Thompson beforehand. He was not robbed and police have no motive at this time.
According to a law enforcement source, UnitedHealthcare security and investigators are searching records for possible previous threats, disgruntled or recently fired employees.
Police are collecting surveillance footage from surrounding buildings and interviewing anyone who may have seen what happened. They will try to track the suspect’s movements using subway cameras and GPS in shared cars.
NYPD officials are expected to provide more details at a news conference at 11:30 a.m. Watch live further CBS News New York in the video player above.
Fatal shooting in busy Midtown Manhattan
CBS News New York
The shooting happened shortly before 6:45 a.m. outside the Hilton Midtown hotel on Sixth Avenue near West 54th Street. More than a dozen officers responded and blocked West 54th Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues to morning traffic.
“We are deeply saddened by this morning’s events in the area and our thoughts are with everyone affected by the tragedy,” a hotel spokesperson said in a statement.
UnitedHealthcare is based in Minnesota, where the governor and other leaders react to news of Thompson’s death.
“This is horrific news and a terrible loss for Minnesota businesses and health care,” Governor Tim Walz wrote on social media. “Minnesota sends our prayers to Brian’s family and the UnitedHealthcare team.”
The hotel is located in a busy area, just steps away from Rockefeller Center, where the annual Rockefeller Center event is held A tree lighting ceremony will take place Wednesday evening.
One witness said he was sitting in his car when he heard a shot and saw a man running away with a gun in his hand.
“I was looking at my phone and heard the shot,” he said. “I was shocked. It’s the first time I’ve ever seen a crime before my eyes. Now I’m afraid he might shoot me too.”
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477)or 1-888-57-PISTA (74782) for Spanish. You can also submit a tip via their website. All conversations are treated confidentially.
Stay with CBS News New York for the latest updates on this developing story.
Pat Milton contributed to this report.
Natalie Duddridge
