Brian Thompson, 50-year-old chief executive of UnitedHealthcare, was fatally shot outside a Manhattan hotel Wednesday morning in a brazen targeted attack. The shooting occurred at around 6:45 a.m. near the Midtown Hilton as Thompson was en route to an annual investor conference for UnitedHealth Group, UnitedHealthcare’s parent company.
New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said that video showed the shooter waited for approximately five minutes, blending into the crowd before the attack was carried out. Thompson-who was not traveling with security-was hit at least twice: once in the back and once in the leg. The gunman approached from behind and fired multiple rounds at the executive, continuing to shoot after the gun jammed, before fleeing the scene on foot.
The police described the attack as “premeditated and targeted,” adding to concerns about the nature of the crime. Authorities have confirmed the shooting does not seem to be any random act of violence either. There is a reward of $10,000 for anyone who could provide information to identify the shooter, still on the loose.
The suspect, who seemed to possess professional firearm handling skills, was briefly seen after the attack riding an e-bike in Central Park. Authorities have not confirmed if the gunman used a silencer or had any assistance.
Thompson lived in Maple Grove, Minnesota, was in New York since Monday attending the conference, and was walking alone at the time of the attack, police said. Investigators continued to review the video and evidence to identify the gunman.
The incident has deeply shocked the business community and the public. Although UnitedHealthcare has not issued an official press release regarding the incident, sources confirmed that the investor conference was closed immediately after the attack.
The authorities are still searching for the shooter, and the NYPD is calling on anyone with information about the shooting to come forward. The sad incident reveals growing concerns about public safety in big cities and the menace of targeted violence.
