The New York City Police Department is conducting an intense manhunt after the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in what investigators are calling a targeted attack. The 50-year-old executive, in the city for a conference at the Hilton Midtown, was shot outside the hotel early Tuesday morning.
Authorities reveal that surveillance footage shows the masked suspect, dressed in dark clothing and carrying a gray backpack, waiting outside the Hilton for five minutes before Thompson exited. The assailant approached from behind and shot Thompson multiple times in the back and leg. Despite a gun malfunction during the attack, the suspect cleared the weapon and continued firing, leading police to believe the shooter may have professional training.
Thompson was rushed to a nearby hospital but succumbed to his injuries. The Minnesota resident was a key figure in UnitedHealthcare, a division of Minnetonka-based UnitedHealth Group, one of the largest health insurers in the United States.
Witnesses describe the suspect as a white male wearing a ski mask and cream-colored jacket, last seen fleeing the scene on a GPS-equipped Citi e-bike. The bike’s GPS data is now a critical focus of the investigation, as detectives work to track its location. The suspect was reportedly spotted heading toward Central Park shortly after the shooting.
NYPD Chief of Detectives Joe Kenny confirmed that three shell casings, three live rounds, and a cell phone were recovered at the scene. A $10,000 reward has been offered for information leading to the suspect’s capture. Kenny emphasized that the attack was premeditated, citing the assailant’s calculated actions and the apparent waiting period before the shooting.
Detectives are interviewing Thompson’s co-workers and associates to determine a potential motive. UnitedHealthcare released a statement expressing grief over Thompson’s death and confirming its cooperation with the investigation.
The brazen daylight attack has sent shockwaves through Midtown Manhattan and raised questions about safety in the area, which is typically bustling with business travelers and tourists. Law enforcement is urging anyone with information about the suspect or the incident to come forward as the investigation intensifies.
