NEW YORK — The CEO of UnitedHealthcare was shot outside of a New York City hotel Wednesday morning.
New photos of alleged shooter released
Update 2:57 p.m. ET Dec. 4: The New York City Police have released new images of the alleged gunman who they said shot and killed Brian Thompson on Wednesday morning.
Meanwhile, Thompson’s wife released a statement saying, “We are shattered to hear about the senseless killing of our beloved Brian,” CNN reported.
Paulette Thompson said, “Brian was an incredibly loving, generous, talented man who truly lived life to the fullest and touched so many lives. Most importantly, Brian was an incredibly loving father to our two sons and will be greatly missed. We appreciate your well wishes and request complete privacy as our family moves through this difficult time.”
She told NBC News, “There were some people that had been threatening him,” but didn’t provide specifics. She suggested however that the threats may have involved issues with insurance coverage.
Police have not released a motive.
Police also released a timeline of what happened after they reviewed the surveillance video and gathered preliminary information, CNN reported.
Brian Thompson was walking near the Hilton in Midtown Manhattan, at 6:44 a.m. after he left his hotel which was across the street from where he was killed. He was scheduled to attend the United Healthcare investors’ meeting at the Hilton at 8 a.m.
The gunman approached Brian Thompson from behind shooting him in the back. The gunman then stepped closer to his target, the gun jammed, he cleared the jam and fired additional shots.
“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, according to The Associated Press.
Police received a 911 call at 6:46 a.m., and arrived at the Hilton at 6:48 a.m. At the same time, the alleged gunman was seen riding an e-Citi Bike into Central Park. Moments before that, he had run to an alley between 54th and 55th Street, walked across the Avenue of the Americas, and got the bike, CNN reported.
Brian Thompson was transported to the hospital and was pronounced dead at 7:12 a.m.
Police said they recovered three live 9mm rounds and three discharged 9mm shell casings from the shooting scene.
NYPD release details
Update 11:45 a.m. ET Dec. 4: New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch gave new details on the shooting of Brian Thompson.
Tisch said that the alleged shooter was lying in wait for Thompson after several people walked past him. The alleged gunman shot Thompson several times at around 6:45 a.m. after approaching him from behind.
Police said the gun malfunctioned at one point and that the gunman cleared the weapon and was able to resume firing. It was said that the gun was a 9MM handgun.
“I want to be clear: At this time, every indication is that this was a premeditated, preplanned, targeted attack,” Tisch said.
He had wounds in his back and legs according to police officials. Thompson was taken to Mount Sinai West, which, police referred to its old former name, Roosevelt Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The gunman’s description changed slightly from earlier reports. Instead of a black jacket, he was wearing a cream or light brown jacket and had a “very distinctive” grey backpack, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said.
A cellphone was recovered from the alleyway where the alleged gunman ran.
The gunman was seen going into Central Park from Center Drive, riding a Citi Bike, which has a GPS device, that police said they should be able to be tracked.
There is no known motive. CBS News reported that Thompson was not robbed.
A $10,000 reward has been issued for information regarding the capture of the alleged gunman.
UnitedHealth Group released a statement, CNN reported.
“We are deeply saddened and shocked at the passing of our dear friend and colleague Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare. 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.”
Original report: The New York Post was the first to report the shooting of Brian Thompson.
He was shot outside of the Hilton in Midtown and taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in critical condition where he was pronounced dead.
The hotel is located on Sixth Avenue between 53rd and 54th streets, in the middle of popular tourist destinations.
CNN reported that officials are searching for the gunman.
Police believe it was a targeted shooting. The gunman was described as 6-foot, 1 inch tall; thin; wearing a black jacket, black hat, black ski mask and black backpack, WABC reported.
The gunman waited for Thompson, fired several shots and then went down an alleyway before hopping on a bicycle and riding away. Police believe he went into Central Park.
UnitedHealth Group’s CEO Andrew Witty “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,” when its investor day event scheduled for Wednesday was canceled, Reuters reported.
According to the company’s website, the meeting was scheduled to start at 8 a.m. in the Hilton’s ballroom.
Thompson was named the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, the insurance division, in April 2021, CNN reported. He started at the company in 2004 and worked in several departments over nearly 20 years before being named to the latest position, according to the company. Prior to joining UnitedHealth, he was a CPA at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
UnitedHealth Group is the biggest healthcare company in the country, according to CNN.