DEVELOPMENT OF THE STORYDEVELOPMENT OF THE STORY,

Brian Thompson was CEO of UnitedHealthcare, a major US insurance company.

According to media reports, Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, one of the largest health insurers in the United States, was shot and killed in New York City.

Thompson was wearing a suit and tie on his way to the New York Hilton Hotel in midtown Manhattan to attend a UnitedHealthcare conference being held in the ballroom, CNN reported, citing a police official.

As Reuters reported, a gunman opened fire around 6:40 a.m. (11:40 GMT), hitting Thompson in the chest. According to the New York Police Department, he was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Investigators told CNN that the gunman waited in the area for some time before Thompson’s arrival, and The New York Times reported that police viewed the attack as targeted.

Mayor Eric Adams said the preliminary police investigation determined the shooting was not random.

“It looks like it was a targeted killing,” he told The Associated Press.

UnitedHealth Group cancels the remainder of its event program.

“We are dealing with a very serious medical situation with one of our team members, and therefore I am concerned that we must end the event today,” said Andrew Witty, CEO of UnitedHealth Group.

UnitedHealth did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Police are expected to hold a press conference shortly.

Thompson was named chief executive officer of Minnesota-based UnitedHealthcare in April 2021. UnitedHealthcare is part of UnitedHealth Group and serves 148 million people in the United States and South America, according to the company’s website. Thompson had been with the company since 2004.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz confirmed the news on X, calling it “a terrible loss for Minnesota’s economy and health care system.”

This is terrible news and a terrible loss for Minnesota’s economy and health care system.

Minnesota sends our prayers to Brian’s family and the UnitedHealthcare team. https://t.co/6lAL2lJXzn

– Governor Tim Walz (@GovTimWalz) December 4, 2024

This is a developing story. More details to follow.