Police in New York are hunting a gunman who shot dead a healthcare executive outside a hotel in what has been described as a “brazen targeted attack”.
Brian Thompson, who had been the chief executive of UnitedHealthcare since April 2021, was killed outside the Hilton Hotel in midtown Manhattan.
The gunman, who was wearing a face mask, was lying in wait for about five minutes before he approached the 50-year-old victim from behind.
He opened fire several times, shooting him in the back and leg. He then walked towards Mr Thompson and continued to shoot.
Police said the weapon jammed during the attack, which happened at around 6.45am local time on Wednesday. But the shooter cleared the jam and started firing again.
The attacker used a firearm with a silencer, CNBC reported.
He then fled on foot before getting on a GPS-tracked e-bike and was last seen in Central Park.
Mr Thompson, who lived in Minnesota, was taken to a nearby hospital but could not be saved.
Police are still searching for the suspect and are offering a $10,000 (£7,866) reward for information. Officers also said they did not yet have a motive for the shooting.
An image of the individual sought in connection to the investigation of the shooting of Brian Thompson. Pic: NYPD/Reuters
Pic: NYPD/Reuters
Photos taken from CCTV footage shows a man wearing a grey backpack riding a bicycle, and another photo of the individual appearing to be pointing a gun.
The suspect was described as a light-skinned male, wearing a light brown or cream coloured jacket, a black face mask, and black and white trainers.
Police said there was another person standing next to Mr Thompson when he was attacked outside the hotel, and are in the process of identifying them.
New York City’s police commissioner Jessica Tisch said the shooting was a “brazen, targeted attack”.
Who was Brian Thompson?
Brian Thompson was the boss of UnitedHealth’s insurance division.
He had been at the company, in various roles, for 20 years and had served in his current job since 2021.
Mr Thompson worked under group chief executive Sir Andrew Witty, the experienced British executive best known in the UK for his tenure in charge at pharmaceutical firm GlaxoSmithKline in the early 2000s.
UnitedHealthcare is the largest provider of Medicare health insurance plans in the United States – policies that holders generally find cause to complain about industry-wide.
Medicare plans cover people aged 65 or older and younger people with disabilities.
America’s healthcare insurance costs rank as the most expensive in the world.
The firm also manages health insurance for companies.
“This does not appear to be a random act of violence. Every indication is that this was a premeditated, pre-planned, targeted attack,” she said.
Mr Thompson’s wife, Paulette Thompson, said that he had been receiving threats.
“There had been some threats,” she said in a phone call to Sky’s US partner network, NBC News. “Basically, I don’t know, a lack of coverage? I don’t know details. I just know that he said there were some people that had been threatening him.
Pic: Reuters
Police officers stand near the scene where the chief executive was shot and killed. Pic: Reuters
“I can’t really give a thoughtful response right now. I just found this out and I’m trying to console my children,” she added.
The attack happened as the company was scheduled to have its annual meeting with investors on Wednesday morning in the Hilton. Mr Thompson had arrived in New York on Monday to attend the meeting and was staying in a hotel opposite.
Bullets lie on the footpath of the scene outside the Hilton Hotel in midtown Manhattan. Pic: AP
A member of the NYPD Crime Scene Unit takes a picture of a shell casing found at the scene. Pic: Reuters
It is understood Mr Thompson was in charge of organising the conference and was due to speak at the meeting.
“We’re dealing with a very serious medical situation with one of our team members, and as a result, I’m afraid we’re going to have to bring to a close the event today,” UnitedHealth’s chief executive Sir Andrew Witty said.
UnitedHealthcare is the insurance arm of the healthcare giant UnitedHealth Group.
The scene after Brian Thompson was fatally shot in New York. Pic: AP
Pic: Reuters
Members of the NYPD Crime Scene Unit work near evidence markers placed where shell casings were found. Pic Reuters
In a statement, it said: “Brian was a highly respected colleague and friend to all who worked with him. We are working closely with the New York Police Department and ask for your patience and understanding during this difficult time.
“Our hearts go out to Brian’s family and all who were close to him.”
There have been no arrests, and the investigation is active and ongoing.
The scene of the shooting is a short walk from tourist sites such as the Museum of Modern Art and Rockefeller Centre. The popular Rockefeller Centre Christmas tree lighting is set to take place on Wednesday evening.
