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According to authorities, a gunman shot the CEO of a well-known health insurer many times outside a renowned Manhattan hotel in New York City, killing him in a “brazen, targeted” attack.
According to investigators, Brian Thompson, the former CEO of UnitedHealthcare insurance, was shot dead at close range on the pavement outside the New York Hilton Midtown early on Wednesday morning before his company’s investors’ day conference.
According to authorities, the unidentified shooter was reportedly lying in wait at the hotel when he shot Thompson at approximately 6:40 a.m.
Detectives spotted the words “deny,” “defend,” and “depose” on shot casings recovered from the scene of Thompson’s murder, police sources told ABC News late Wednesday night.
“Brazen, targeted attack” that was “premeditated,” NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch stated during a press briefing on the masked shooter, who is still at large. However, authorities stated that the motivation is yet unknown.
Detectives from the New York Police Department said they were trying to ascertain whether the statements were intended as a message from the gunman or as a clue to his motivation.
The gunman approached the CEO from behind, aimed his weapon at him, and shot, as shown on camera. Thompson staggered and fell to the ground, and a witness ran away. The shooter then approached Thompson and fired a few more shots before running away.
According to sources who spoke to ABC News, the gunman was captured on camera outside the public housing complex known as Frederick Douglass Houses on the Upper West Side at five in the morning of the shooting.
The guy was seen carrying what looked to be an e-bike battery when he was captured on camera at Frederick Douglass Houses.
According to a statement from Thompson’s wife, Paulette Thompson, she is “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 stated. “Most importantly, Brian was an incredibly loving father to our two sons and will be greatly missed.”
According to police sources, Thompson, 50, was in New York City for the UnitedHealthcare investors meeting, which was set to begin at 8 a.m. His schedule was well known.
According to investigators, he was not staying at the Hilton where he was shot, but the conference was being held there. The hotel is located near the junction of Sixth Avenue and West 54th Street.
During the press conference, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny stated that the gunman reached the site around five minutes before to Thompson’s arrival.
“People passed the suspect, but he appeared to wait for his intended target,” Tisch stated.
According to Kenny, the shooter entered the pavement from behind a car and shot the CEO in the back after Thompson left his hotel across the street and made his way to the Hilton for the meeting.
“The gunman then approaches the victim and keeps shooting. He removes the jam and starts shooting again, suggesting that the gun isn’t working properly,” he added.
Police sources informed ABC News that a phone thought to be connected to the gunman was found in an alley where the suspect fled on foot.
According to authorities, he then rode off on a bike and was last seen entering Central Park at 6:48 a.m.
According to sources, detectives are trying to ascertain whether the suspect had the bike set up nearby.
Investigators are doing testing to see whether there are any viable fingerprints or DNA, according to law enforcement sources who spoke to ABC News, and police believe a water bottle and candy wrapper found close to the shooting scene are connected to the shooter.
According to accounts, detectives don’t think the shooter is a professional murderer.
According to the sources, the FBI is assisting with the inquiry since it has the most advanced equipment for recovering useful data from handsets.
On Monday, Thompson landed in New York. According to Kenny, police are questioning Thompson’s family and coworkers regarding any possible specific threats.
According to cops, Thompson departed his hotel alone and didn’t seem to have a security detail.
Investigators have already gained access to the victim’s hotel room, and according to insiders, their main goal is to ascertain Thompson’s most recent conversations and whereabouts.
In a statement, UnitedHealth Group, the world’s biggest health insurer and parent company of UnitedHealthcare, said, “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 business stated. “During this trying time, we kindly request your compassion and patience while we work closely with the New York Police Department. Our thoughts and prayers are with Brian’s family and everyone who knew him.
