New York — A manhunt is underway in New York for the gunman who shot Brian Thompson, CEO of UnitedHealthcare Wednesday morning in what authorities said appeared to be a targeted attack.
ThompsonThe 50-year-old was shot multiple times outside the Hilton Midtown hotel on Sixth Avenue near West 54th Street in New York City around 6:45 a.m., officials said at a news conference Wednesday. Thompson was not a guest at the Hilton, but was staying at another hotel nearby and was walking to the Hilton for a corporate event when he was attacked.
The shooting took place before an investor conference UnitedHealth Groupthe parent company of UnitedHealthcare, was scheduled to host Wednesday at the Hilton, according to a spokesperson for the subsidiary.
What we know about the suspect in the CEO shooting
The suspect has not been identified. He has a light complexion and was wearing a gray-colored backpack, which NYPD Chief Joseph Kenny described as “very distinctive.” Kenny said the shooter was also wearing a tan or cream-colored jacket, a black face mask and black and white sneakers.
The NYPD has released this surveillance footage of the suspect in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside a hotel in Midtown Manhattan. /Credit: NYPD
The suspect appeared to lie in wait for Thompson, the newly sworn-in police chief, for several minutes Jessica Tisch said this during the press conference on Wednesday. A senior NYPD official told CBS News that the suspect’s arrival before Thompson indicates he knew where the CEO was staying and when he would arrive at the conference.
“Based on the evidence we have so far, it appears the victim was specifically targeted, but we don’t know why,” Kenny said.
Thompson was staying at another hotel across the street, Kenny said. He left his hotel shortly after 6:40 a.m. to go to the Hilton. Kenny said police are talking to Thompson’s colleagues to understand why he went to the hotel so early, but said the CEO was in charge of the conference and may have stopped by to help set it up.
The suspect approached Thompson from behind at 6:44 a.m. and then shot him at least once in the back and once in the right calf. A security camera captured the incident.
Kenny said the suspect appeared skilled in the use of firearms and noted that the suspect appeared to quickly repair a jam in his weapon. The suspect also had a silencer on the gun, the NYPD said.
The suspect first fled on foot before getting on a bicycle. Tisch initially said the suspect used an electronic Citi Bike to get away, but Lyft said the NYPD later told the company, which owns and operates Citi Bike, that was not the case. Police are trying to track down the suspect through video footage, Kenny said. A Lyft spokesperson had previously said the company was “ready to assist” with the investigation.
The suspect was seen in Central Park and police video showed him leaving the west side of the park somewhere between 70th and 80th streets. Police are examining surveillance footage of what appears to be the suspect riding a bicycle on West 85th Street at 6:59 a.m.
Police are examining surveillance footage of what appears to be the suspect riding a bicycle on West 85th Street at 6:59 a.m.
What evidence did the police find?
Three live 9mm rounds and three fired 9mm shell casings were recovered from the scene, Kenny said. Police also found a cell phone along the route the suspect used to flee the scene. Police are doing a forensic analysis of the device to determine if it belongs to the suspect, Kenny said. Police told CBS News that the phone has “investigative value” but would not elaborate further or say who the phone belonged to.
UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was killed Wednesday morning in a shooting outside a hotel in Midtown, Manhattan, the NYPD says. / Credit: CBS News New York
Police are still examining surveillance footage and said they have video, but no audio, of the shooting. A joint law enforcement task force said they were conducting a reverse video campaign. Detectives will look at footage from all crime scene cameras, all crime scene cameras and surrounding areas to try to track the suspect’s escape route.
It is also being investigated where the suspect may have come from.
Police released surveillance images showing the suspect minutes before the shooting at a Starbucks two blocks away from the shooting. Police told CBS News that they found unspecified “forensic evidence” at the Starbucks and that items found there are being tested for possible DNA and fingerprints by the NYPD’s Crime Scene Unit.
A surveillance image of the suspect in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. /Credit: New York City Police Department
Investigators and security at UnitedHealthcare are sifting through records looking for a possible motive, possible prior threats and disgruntled or recently fired employees, a law enforcement source said. The company says it is cooperating with the investigation. Police are also looking at social media and interviewing employees, family members and others who knew Thompson, Kenny said.
The ongoing manhunt will not disrupt holiday events
NYPD Chief Jeffrey Maddrey said police will use all available resources, including drone and K-9 units, to find the suspect. People in Manhattan can expect a heavier police presence than usual in the neighborhood, especially during Wednesday night’s Christmas Tree Lighting at Rockefeller Center, Maddrey said.
“When an incident like this happens, we spare no expense,” Maddrey said.
Pat Milton and John Doyle contributed reporting.
UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson killed in shooting outside a New York City hotel
NYPD provides update on search for shooter in fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO
UnitedHealthcare CEO shot dead in ‘targeted attack’ outside New York City hotel
