UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson shot dead in Midtown Manhattan, masked gunman at large
The shooting appears to be a “brazen, targeted attack,” police said.
The words “deny,” “defend” and “depose” were discovered by detectives on the shell casings found at the scene where Brian Thompson, the CEO of major insurance group UnitedHealthcare, was gunned down, police sources told ABC News late Wednesday evening.
Thompson was shot to death at point-blank range in Midtown Manhattan on Wednesday morning before he was set to attend an investor conference, according to police.
The masked gunman, who remains on the loose, carried out a “brazen, targeted attack” that was “premeditated,” NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said at a news conference. But the motive remains unknown, police said.
NYPD detectives are working to determine whether the words were meant as a message from the shooter and a hint at his motive.
Police released photos of a suspect sought in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
The shooter appeared to be lying in wait at the hotel where he shot Thompson around 6:40 a.m., police said.
Video captured the moment the gunman walked up behind the CEO, pointed his gun at him and fired. A witness fled as Thompson stumbled and fell to the ground. The gunman then walked closer to Thompson, firing more times before fleeing.
MORE: Who killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson? What we know about the suspect on the run
The shooter was seen on video at 5 a.m. the morning of the shooting outside Frederick Douglass Houses, a public housing project on the Upper West Side, sources told ABC News.
ABC News obtained this photo of the suspect.
When the suspect was spotted on video at Frederick Douglass Houses, he was seen carrying what appeared to be an e-bike battery.
Thompson’s wife, Paulette Thompson, said in a statement that she’s “shattered” by the “senseless killing.”
“Brian was an incredibly loving, generous, talented man who truly lived life to the fullest and touched so many lives,” she said. “Most importantly, Brian was an incredibly loving father to our two sons and will be greatly missed.”
This undated photo provided by UnitedHealth Group shows UnitedHealthcare chief executive officer Brian Thompson.
Thompson, 50, was in New York City for the UnitedHealthcare investors conference, which was scheduled to start at 8 a.m., and his schedule was widely known, police sources said.
The conference was being held at the Hilton outside of which he was shot, but he was not staying there, police said. The hotel is by the intersection of West 54th Street and Sixth Avenue.
Police investigators at the scene where UnitedHealthcare’s CEO Brian Thompson was shot and killed in an apparent targeted attack as he was en-route to to attend UnitedHealthcare’s annual investor conference in New York, Dec. 4, 2024.
MORE: Who was UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson?
The shooter arrived at the scene about five minutes before Thompson arrived, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said at the news conference.
“People passed the suspect, but he appeared to wait for his intended target,” Tisch said.
Members of the New York police crime scene unit investigate the scene outside the Hilton Hotel in midtown Manhattan where Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, was fatally shot, Dec. 4, 2024, in New York.
After Thompson exited his hotel across the street and walked to the Hilton for the conference, the shooter stepped onto the sidewalk from behind a car and shot the CEO in the back, Kenny said.
“The shooter then walks toward the victim and continues to shoot. It appears that the gun malfunctions, as he clears the jam and begins to fire again,” he said.
A New York police officer stands outside the Hilton Hotel in midtown Manhattan where Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, was fatally shot, Dec. 4, 2024, in New York.
The suspect fled on foot into an alley, where a phone believed to be linked to the shooter was recovered, police sources told ABC News.
He then fled on a bike and he was last seen riding into Central Park at 6:48 a.m., police said.
Detectives are working to determine whether the suspect had prepositioned the bike somewhere close by, according to sources.
The gunman fled the scene on an e-bike, according to this photo released by the NYPD.
Police believe a water bottle and candy wrapper left near the shooting scene are linked to the shooter and investigators are running tests to determine if there are any usable fingerprints or DNA, law enforcement sources told ABC News.
Detectives believe the gunman is not a professional killer, sources said.
The FBI, which has the most sophisticated technology for retrieving usable data from cellphones, is helping with the investigation, the sources said.
Police released photos of a suspect sought in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
NYPD
Thompson arrived in New York on Monday. Police are interviewing Thompson’s colleagues and family about any potential specific threats, Kenny said.
Thompson left his hotel by himself and didn’t appear to have a security detail, police said.
A member of the New York City police department’s Crime Scene Unit at the scene where UnitedHealthcare’s CEO Brian Thompson was shot and killed in in New York, Dec. 4, 2024.
The victim’s hotel room has already been accessed by investigators, whose top priority is determining Thompson’s most recent conversations and movements, sources said.
UnitedHealthcare’s parent company, UnitedHealth Group, the largest health insurer in the world, said in a statement, “We are deeply saddened and shocked at the passing of our dear friend and colleague Brian Thompson.”
“Brian was a highly respected colleague and friend to all who worked with him,” the company said. “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.”
Police cover evidence with paper cups as as CEO of UnitedHealthcare Brian Thompson, 50, was shot as he entered the New York Hilton on Dec. 4, 2024 in New York City.
Thompson lived in Minnesota, where the company is based.
“This is horrifying news and a terrible loss for the business and health care community in Minnesota,” Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz tweeted. “Minnesota is sending our prayers to Brian’s family and the UnitedHealthcare team.”
Police urge the public to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS with any information.
Man Kept Hearing Strange Noises Under Driveway, Look What He Found Inside
When Simon Marks, 37, saw his car’s wheels were stuck in a hole, he believed he had drove onto a flowerbed.
“Well, this day couldn’t get any worse,” he thought, glancing at the damage he had done to his automobile.
He was about to examine the damage more closely when he heard a horrible sound that caused his heart to rush. What on earth was that?
Simon noticed that the driveway’s pavers had cracked when he bent down to have a closer look, and the driveway suddenly started to give way in front of him.
A whole new insight was revealed when the pavers continued to crackle unceasingly.
With ease, the earth fell way, revealing a metal fragment beneath.
With his bare hands, he unveiled it and managed to grasp it. Despite his greatest effort, he was unable to draw it free.
He made the decision to explore the area and piece together as much of the mystery surrounding an enigmatic object as he could.
Simon rang out for assistance. When his father arrived, the two of them carted off buckets full of compacted muck.
When they finally noticed an aperture, they descended an ancient, rusted ladder to look into the hole in the ground.
Simon remarked, “My dad saw it and knew right away that it was an air raid shelter.” “After searching on Google, we discovered that there are many in this area.”
Simon discovered, via extensive web research, that the shelter was constructed during World War II! Simon informed the reporters, “The previous owner must have known it was there and when he built the house and put a garden in… he must have filled it in.”
A man by the name of Sir John Anderson was assigned the duty of coming up with a plan to shield its residents from the bombs and onslaught that they knew were imminent during World War II.
His plan was to construct these tunnel fortifications.
A wall has been sealed with bricks. Though we don’t know, I’m ninety percent certain we won’t discover any more chambers. When the home was erected, they might have bricked up a wall to create room for the foundations.
Simon said to journalists. He continued, “If that’s the case, we’ll just have to leave it.” But the discovery didn’t take long to become widely known.
Simon and his father intend to conserve and repair the shelter in the hopes that it may one day be recognized as a significant historical landmark.
They contend that the time shouldn’t be forgotten even though the battle is long gone.
They hope that people will be able to visit this small physical remnant of those trying times and get a brief overview of that period of history.
Please tell your family and friends about this incredible discovery!
If you see someone with this tattoo on their hand, you had better know what it means.
Tattoos and body markings hold various meanings for different individuals. What is considered a celebration in one region may be seen as inappropriate in another. A symbol or design that carries great significance in one location might appear as meaningless doodles elsewhere.
Human beings have likely been using their appearances to express themselves and convey messages for as long as we have existed as a species.
If you don’t live on a deserted island, you probably see people with tattoos often. Some tattoos may be regrettable choices from their youth, while others hold significant meanings, telling stories or honoring customs and traditions.
Personally, I think it’s fascinating to see the same tattoo on multiple individuals.
I am immediately curious about the meaning behind the tattoo and why the person felt it was significant enough to have it permanently inked on their body.
I have seen the concept of the ‘red string of fate’ many times over the years, but I never thought to research it until now.
Human beings have likely been using their appearances to express themselves and convey messages for as long as we have existed as a species.
If you don’t live on a faraway island, you’re probably familiar with seeing people with tattoos. Some tattoos may be simple designs that they now regret getting when they were young, while others may hold significant meanings, representing stories, customs, or traditions…
I find it fascinating when I come across the same tattoo on multiple individuals. It makes me curious about the meaning behind the tattoo and why they chose to permanently display it.
I have seen the concept of the ‘red string of fate’ many times over the years, but I never thought to research it until now.
Many readers may identify the small, red tattoo, but its symbolic significance may not be familiar to all who have seen it.
I had observed the tattoo on several individuals, enough to recognize a recurring design. It was clear that this symbol held significance, but its meaning eluded me.
I did some research online and discovered that the red string tattoo is called the ‘red string of fate’ in Asian cultures. It is usually seen on the thumb of a man and the pinky finger of a woman. The tattoo resembles a basic bow with tails, similar to a tied shoelace.
This small tattoo actually has a symbolic meaning related to romance and hope. It originates from a Chinese story about a matchmaker who knows our destined partner.
Certainly, the notion of being destined or fated to encounter another person is not limited to romantic pursuits. Similarly, the idea of being linked to someone through an unseen connection is not restricted to a single culture, but rather exists in almost all cultures.
The red string of fate suggests that two individuals are meant to be together, regardless of where, when, or how they meet. Some find this idea heartwarming and reassuring. On the other hand, there are those who would rather have complete control over their own future.
