UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot and killed Wednesday morning in New York City. The attack occurred outside the Hilton Midtown hotel, where Thompson was heading to his company’s annual conference. Police described the killing as targeted and continue investigating the case.
The victim’s wife, Paulette, told NBC that Thompson had received threats before the incident. The 56-year-old executive led UnitedHealthcare, the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans in the U.S., serving over 49 million Americans.
The shooter fled on an electric bike into Central Park after the attack. Investigators believe the suspect traveled to New York last month from Atlanta, Georgia, using a Greyhound bus.
Police Hunt for Clues
Authorities released a photo of a man considered a “person of interest,” taken at a hostel on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. Hostel staff reported the man usually wore a mask but briefly lowered it while speaking to an employee. Police suspect he used a fake New Jersey ID to check in.
Evidence recovered near the crime scene includes a phone, a water bottle, and a protein bar wrapper. Additionally, investigators found ammunition with words like “deny,” “defend,” and “depose” written on it. These terms resemble a phrase critical of the health insurance industry: “delay, deny, defend.”
The gunman’s motive remains unclear as investigators continue examining the suspect’s actions leading up to the attack. Police remain focused on piecing together evidence to identify and apprehend the killer.
