Tragedy struck early this morning as UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was gunned down outside the New York Hilton Midtown hotel. The incident occurred just before the company's annual investors' conference was set to begin.
According to the New York Police Department, the shooter, who arrived on foot minutes before Thompson, approached the victim from behind and opened fire. Despite a brief malfunction with the gun, the assailant continued to shoot before fleeing the scene.
Police responded to a 911 call reporting the shooting at 6:46 a.m. Officers found Thompson on the sidewalk with gunshot wounds to his back and leg. He was rushed to Roosevelt Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 7:12 a.m.
The gunman fled northbound into an alleyway between 54th Street and 55th Street before escaping on an electric e-Citi bike. Surveillance footage captured the shooter riding the bike into Central Park, leaving behind live rounds and shell casings at the scene.
The NYPD is actively investigating the incident and seeking leads to apprehend the perpetrator. The motive behind the attack remains unclear, and authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward.
As news of the tragic event spreads, the healthcare industry mourns the loss of Brian Thompson, a respected leader in the field. UnitedHealthcare has yet to release a statement regarding the incident, but colleagues and investors are expressing shock and sadness over the untimely death of the CEO.
