NEW YORK (AP) — UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot and killed Wednesday morning in what police stated was a “brazen, targeted attack” exterior a Manhattan lodge the place the well being insurer was holding an investor convention.
The 50-year-old govt was shot round 6:45 a.m. as he walked alone to the New York Hilton Midtown from a close-by lodge, police stated. The gunman seemed to be “lying in wait for several minutes” earlier than approaching Thompson from behind and opening fireplace, New York Metropolis Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch stated. Police had not but established a motive.
“Many people passed the suspect, but he appeared to wait for his intended target,” Tisch stated, including that the taking pictures “does not appear to be a random act of violence.”
Thompson was struck not less than as soon as within the again and as soon as within the calf, Tisch stated. He was taken to a hospital, the place he was pronounced lifeless.
The suspect, wearing a hooded sweatshirt and carrying a definite grey backpack, then fled on foot down an alleyway earlier than pedaling an e-bike into Central Park a number of blocks away. The shooter was at massive, sparking a search that included police drones, helicopters and canines.
“We are deeply saddened and shocked at the passing of our dear friend and colleague Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare,” the insurer’s mother or father firm, UnitedHealth Group, stated in an announcement.
“Brian was a highly respected colleague and friend to all who worked with him,” the corporate stated. “We are working closely with the New York Police Department and ask for your patience and understanding during this difficult time.”
Police issued a poster displaying a surveillance picture of the suspect pointing what seemed to be a gun and one other picture that appeared to point out the identical individual on a bicycle. Police supplied a reward of as much as $10,000 for data resulting in an arrest and conviction.
The killing shook part of New York Metropolis that’s usually quiet at that hour, taking place about 4 blocks from the place tens of 1000’s of individuals are set to collect Wednesday evening for the annual Rockefeller Middle Christmas tree lighting.
Police sought to reassure New Yorkers and promised further safety for the tree lighting, which can go on as scheduled.
“We’re encouraging New Yorkers to go about their daily lives and their daily business but to be alert,” NYPD Chief of Division Jeffrey Maddrey stated.
Investigators recovered a number of 9 mm shell casings from exterior the lodge and a cellphone from the alleyway via which the suspect fled. They have been additionally looking Thompson’s lodge room and interviewing his UnitedHealthcare colleagues, Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny stated.
UnitedHealthcare is the insurance coverage arm of the well being care big UnitedHealth Group Inc.
The Minnetonka, Minnesota-based firm was scheduled to have its annual assembly with buyers in New York Metropolis to replace Wall Avenue on the corporate’s course and expectations for the approaching yr, based on an organization media advisory. The corporate ended the convention early within the wake of Thompson’s loss of life.
“I’m afraid that we — some of you may know we’re dealing with a very serious medical situation with one of our team members,” an organization official instructed attendees, based on a transcript. “And as a result, I’m afraid we’re going to have to bring to a close the event today. … I’m sure you’ll understand.”
Thompson had served as CEO for greater than three years and had been with the corporate since 2004.
UnitedHealthcare is the most important supplier of Medicare Benefit plans within the U.S. and manages medical health insurance protection for employers and state-and federally funded Medicaid packages.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz tweeted that the state is “sending our prayers to Brian’s family and the UnitedHealthcare team.”
The New York Hilton Midtown is a brief stroll from vacationer websites, together with Rockefeller Middle and the Museum of Fashionable Artwork, and is usually dense with vacationers and employees on weekday mornings. A part of the block the place the taking pictures befell was cordoned off with police tape, with a big contingent of cops on the scene. Many safety cameras are close by.