The head of a major US health insurance company was shot and killed on a New York City street Wednesday in what appeared to be a “targeted” attack, according to police.
Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, was killed as he entered the Hilton Hotel in midtown Manhattan shortly before 6:45 am ET. Police said the attacker was waiting for Thompson, who was heading to a hotel ahead of an annual investor conference.
“This does not appear to be a random act of violence,” New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said at a press conference Wednesday.
“Right now, all indications are that this was a premeditated, organized, targeted attack.”
The chief of detectives in the police department, Joseph Kenny, said that the shooter arrived at the hotel about five minutes before Thompson, who was staying at another hotel across the street. Standing on the edge of the building, the suspect let many people go unharmed before he opened fire on the businessman.
New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said Brian Thompson, 50, was shot and killed in what appeared to be a ‘planned, planned, targeted attack’ in Manhattan.
The gun misfired, but the shooter cleared the road. They also ignored the video witness, who escaped just a meter or two away.
“From the evidence we have so far, it looks like the victim was targeted, but at this point, we don’t know why,” Kenny said.
The suspect fled on foot before switching to a Citi Bike. They were last seen on video riding in Central Park at 6:48 a.m., the officer said.
Thompson, 50, was pronounced dead at Roosevelt Hospital at 7:12 am
Kenny said the officer did not seem to have any safety information and did not seem to realize that he was in danger. The video of the shooting had no sound, he said, so police did not know if the shooter was dead.
UnitedHealthcare is the insurance arm of health giant UnitedHealth Group Inc. The Minnesota-based company was scheduled to meet with investors in New York City to update Wall Street on its direction and expectations for the coming year, according to a company spokesperson. .
The CEO of UnitedHealth Group, Andrew Witty, took the stage about an hour into the event and announced that the entire program would be canceled.
“We are dealing with a very serious health situation with one of our team members, and because of that, I’m afraid we will have to end the event today,” he said.
Thompson, who lived in Minnesota, had been in town since Monday.
“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,” it read.
“Our hearts go out to Brian’s family and all those close to him.”
Thompson has been with the company for 20 years
The Hilton is located in a bustling part of Manhattan, a short walk from tourist attractions like the Museum of Modern Art and Rockefeller Center and is often crowded with tourists and office workers on weekday mornings.
Police said the shooting would not interfere with the annual Christmas tree lighting at Rockefeller Center, a few blocks from the Hilton, which draws large crowds and is scheduled for a televised event Wednesday evening.
Part of the area where the shooting took place was cordoned off with police tape, with dozens of officers at the scene.
Thompson, who has served as CEO for more than three years, has been with the company since 2004. Police said they are still trying to determine the cause.
Police are working with Citi Bike to track the GPS-enabled bike the shooter used and analyze a cell phone found nearby.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said the state “sends our prayers to Brian’s family and the UnitedHealthcare team.”
“This is shocking news and a terrible loss for business and the health care community in Minnesota,” Walz wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
UnitedHealthcare is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans in the US and manages the provision of health insurance for employers, as well as state and federal funded Medicaid plans.
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