UnitedHealthcare CEO Killed in ‘Premeditated, Preplanned, Targeted Attack’ in Manhattan
UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot and killed Wednesday morning in what New York police are calling a “premeditated, targeted attack.” The incident occurred outside the Hilton Midtown hotel in Manhattan, where Thompson was en route to UnitedHealth Group’s investor conference.
The shooting took place at approximately 6:44 AM as Thompson, 50, walked toward the hotel. Surveillance footage shows the suspect, wearing a black hoodie and carrying a gray backpack, waiting for several minutes near the hotel entrance. As Thompson crossed the street, the gunman approached from behind and shot him multiple times, striking him in the back and leg.
Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny revealed that the shooter’s pistol appeared to malfunction mid-attack, with the assailant quickly clearing the jam and continuing to fire before fleeing the scene. However, commentators pointed out that the shooter was possibly using subsonic ammo paired with a silencer, and was manually cycling through rounds. The suspect escaped first on foot and later on a Citi Bike, last seen entering Central Park.
Police recovered three spent 9mm shell casings, three live rounds, and a tossed cell phone at the scene. Officials confirmed footage that the weapon was equipped with a silencer, as no gunshots were heard by witnesses nearby.
While the motive remains unclear, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch stated that all evidence suggests Thompson was deliberately targeted. Thompson’s wife, Paulette, disclosed to NBC that he had recently received threats, “Yes, there had been some threats basically I don’t know, a lack of coverage? I don’t know details.”
UnitedHealthcare has been the target of criticism in the past, boasting the largest claim denial rate of any insurance company at 32%.
Local, state, and federal authorities have launched a manhunt for the shooter, who remains at large. The NYPD released an image of the suspect inside a nearby Starbucks minutes before the attack. A $10,000 reward has been offered for information leading to an arrest, and officials are urging anyone with details to come forward.
Thompson, a resident of Minnesota, was pronounced dead at Mount Sinai West Hospital at 7:12 AM. He had been with UnitedHealth Group since 2004 and became CEO of UnitedHealthcare in April 2021.
In a statement, UnitedHealth Group expressed shock and sorrow, calling Thompson a “highly respected colleague and friend.” The company canceled the investor conference following the shooting.