UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was gunned down in a brazen, premeditated attack on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at approximately 6:45 a.m. outside the Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan. The shocking incident has left law enforcement racing to apprehend the suspect and piece together the motives behind the murder.
Thompson, 50, was in New York City to attend UnitedHealthcare’s annual investor conference. Surveillance footage shows the masked gunman lying in wait near the hotel before approaching Thompson from behind and shooting him at close range. The attacker fired multiple shots, striking Thompson in the back and the right calf, before fleeing the scene on a bicycle into Central Park.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch described the attack as “targeted and premeditated,” adding that investigators are pursuing numerous leads. Bullet casings found at the scene bore the words “deny,” “defend,” and “depose,” written in marker, which police believe may hold clues to the suspect’s intentions. The weapon used—a rare B&T Station Six pistol—is known for its near-silent firing capabilities, further emphasizing the calculated nature of the crime.
Police have released images of the suspect, captured from surveillance cameras at a hostel on the Upper West Side. The man reportedly used a fake New Jersey license to check into the hostel, where he stayed with two other individuals. Authorities are working to confirm his identity and have recovered a phone believed to be linked to the suspect in an alley near the crime scene.
Thompson’s wife, Paulette Thompson, expressed her grief in a public statement, calling the killing “senseless” and describing her late husband as a loving father and an extraordinary individual. She revealed that Thompson had previously mentioned receiving threats, although the details remain unclear.
The murder weapon, a B&T Station Six, is not easily obtainable, prompting investigators to track recent purchases of similar firearms. Detectives have visited a Connecticut gun shop that recently sold a weapon matching the description. Additionally, evidence such as a water bottle and candy wrapper found near the scene has been sent for DNA and fingerprint analysis.
The killing has sparked widespread outrage, with many speculating about the motive behind the attack. Former FBI supervisor Rob D’Amico suggested the murder could stem from a personal vendetta linked to UnitedHealthcare’s business operations. Social media users, meanwhile, have flooded comment sections with anger and frustration directed at health insurance companies, reflecting the public’s broader dissatisfaction with the industry.
Thompson, who had served as CEO of UnitedHealthcare since April 2021, was a well-respected leader in the health insurance sector. UnitedHealth Group, the parent company, released a statement mourning his loss and expressing shock at the tragedy. The company also announced the cancellation of the investor conference in light of the events.
Law enforcement officials are urging the public to come forward with any information that could aid the investigation. The NYPD has established a hotline for tips, emphasizing that even small details could be crucial in solving the case.
As investigators continue their search for answers, the killing has underscored the vulnerability of high-profile executives and the potential risks they face. For now, the city remains on edge, grappling with the implications of such a deliberate and chilling act of violence.
Image is in the public domain public domain and was created by the Surveillance image released by the NYPD.
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