NYPD divers were conducting a search in Central Park's Lake for the firearm used in the fatal shooting of a health care executive in Manhattan. The search for the gunman has entered its fourth day, with divers focusing on the area near the park's boathouse and Bethesda Fountain.
Key pieces of evidence, including the suspect's electric bike and the gun used in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, are still missing. A backpack found in the park on Friday evening will undergo forensic testing in Queens, but no gun was discovered inside it.
Federal investigators are aiding the NYPD in analyzing various clues, such as the backpack, photos, video footage, ammunition, and DNA, to identify a suspect believed to have left the city.
The FBI is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction, while the NYPD has announced a reward of up to $10,000.
The suspect, who is thought to have left New York City on a bus, remains unidentified. Detectives from the NYPD have traveled to Atlanta to assist in the investigation, as the suspect was reported to have arrived in New York from Atlanta last month.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams expressed optimism about the discovery of the backpack and vowed to bring the suspect to justice. Investigators are focusing on identifying the suspect captured in surveillance images released earlier.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch mentioned the substantial amount of evidence collected, including fingerprints, DNA, and extensive surveillance footage. Authorities are exploring the possibility that the shooter used a specialized weapon in the crime.
Law enforcement officials have alerted border guards along the US-Canada and US-Mexico borders to be on the lookout for the suspect. The suspect's movements upon arrival in New York, including a brief stay at a hotel and check-in at an Upper West Side hostel using a fake New Jersey driver's license, are under scrutiny.
Additional clues, such as photos from the hostel, a burner phone, and a water bottle left at the shooting scene, are aiding investigators in piecing together the case. Words found on the ammunition used in the shooting are being analyzed for potential motives.
UnitedHealth Group, the parent company of UnitedHealthcare, has implemented enhanced security measures for its employees following the attack, ensuring their safety and well-being.
