Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, one of the largest health insurance companies in the United States, has been shot and killed in New York City in what officials describe as a “targeted” attack.
Thompson was fatally shot by an unknown gunman at about 6:40am (11:40 GMT) on Wednesday as he was walking towards the New York Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan, dressed in a suit and tie, to attend a company investor meeting.
He was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead, according to the New York Police Department (NYPD).
“This does not appear to be a random act of violence,” NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch told reporters during a news conference. “It appears the suspect was lying in wait for several minutes.”
Tisch also described the killing in a post on social media as “a brazen, targeted attack” and said police “will not rest until we apprehend the shooter”.
At the early stages in our investigation this appears to be a brazen, targeted attack — this does not appear to be a random act of violence.
The full investigative effort of the NYPD is underway, and we will not rest until we apprehend the shooter.
Right now we are asking for… https://t.co/qnllIxo1Zc
— Jessica S. Tisch (@NYPDPC) December 4, 2024
Thompson’s wife, Paulette Thompson, told NBC News that he told her “there were some people that had been threatening him.” She said she didn’t have details, but suggested the threats may have involved issues with insurance coverage.
After the shooting, police tape blocked off the area on 54th Street outside the Hilton, where blue plastic gloves were strewn about and plastic cups appeared to mark the location of several bullet casings.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams said police were reviewing evidence from the scene, including video. “It seems to be clearly targeted by an individual, and we will apprehend that individual,” he said.
Video footage
Reporting from New York on Wednesday afternoon, Al Jazeera’s Kristen Saloomey said police are speaking to Thompson’s co-workers and family to try to establish a motive.
Surveillance footage showed the suspected gunman — a white male seen wearing a grey backpack — leaving on foot and then jumping on an e-bike and riding through Central Park, Saloomey said.
The video reviewed by investigators shows the shooter emerging from behind a parked car, stopping and pointing a gun at Thompson’s back, holding it with two hands before firing multiple times from several feet away.
The suspect continues shooting as Thompson stumbles forward and falls to the sidewalk. The shooter is then seen walking past Thompson and out of the frame.
“From watching the video, it does seem that he’s proficient in the use of firearms as he was able to clear the malfunctions pretty quickly,” NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said.
Police are asking the public for help, offering a $10,000 reward for anyone with information that could lead to an arrest in this case.
Police issued a poster showing a surveillance image of the suspect pointing what appeared to be a gun and another image that appeared to show the same person on a bicycle.
UnitedHealthcare is part of UnitedHealth Group and provides care to 148 million people in the US and South America, according to the company’s website.
Thompson had been with the Minnesota-based company since 2004 and was named chief executive officer in April 2021.
“We are deeply saddened and shocked at the passing of our dear friend and colleague Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare,” UnitedHealth Group said in a statement.
“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.”
New York state Governor Kathy Hochul also called Thompson’s killing a “horrific and targeted shooting” while Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said it was “a terrible loss for the business and healthcare community in Minnesota”.
