NEW YORK – After UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was murdered in Manhattan and a manhunt swept the city, the New York Police Department likely pursued a multi-pronged strategy in its efforts to find the killer and his motive, former police officers told Fox News Digital.

In an ambush captured on surveillance video, a gunman dressed head-to-toe in black and covering his face aimed a silenced pistol at Thompson and shot three times outside the Midtown Hilton Hotel at 6:46 a.m. Wednesday the managing director.

Among the clues investigators examined were a phone the shooter dropped in the alley to flee the crime scene, which the NYPD fingerprinted and searched for data; a water bottle left at a Starbucks near the crime scene that the suspect paid for in cash; the words “deny,” “depose,” and “defend” left on bullet casings at the crime scene; and images showing the full face of a person involved in the case at a hostel on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, where the killer used a fake ID and paid for a room in cash the night before the shooting, according to sources.

BRIAN THOMPSON’S KILLER, UNITEDHEALTHCARE CEO, USED FAKE ID to check into New York hostel before murder: SOURCES

A screenshot from surveillance footage released by the NYPD shows a person of interest wanted in connection with the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, in Midtown Manhattan. (NYPD Crime Stoppers)

Several former police officers told Fox News Digital that they were confident the bomber would be caught given the evidence he left behind.

“Law enforcement is obviously in a reactive situation, (but) … the public should have confidence in this – the NYPD has some of the most highly trained investigators … and some of the best technology in the world … and they have the manpower requirement.” Matt Fagiana, a retired police sergeant and law enforcement consultant, told Fox News Digital.

“You can bet there will be multiple people looking from different angles at the same time,” he said. “Several people are focused on finding the person – there are multiple missions going on at the same time as we speak.”

THE CEO OF UNITEDHEALTHCARE LEFT A MESSAGE TO MAKE A STATEMENT OR TURN OFF THE POLICE: DETECTIVES

This map shows the reported path taken by the suspect in the shooting of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

Currently, according to retired FBI agent Scott Duffey, the NYPD has a team looking for additional surveillance footage of the perpetrator that could provide further clues.

“They are trained to know where to look and what technology they need to work with a business or home (with a doorbell camera or security recordings) to retrieve those (recordings) from the cloud or hardware they need and to get back to the police,” he told Fox News Digital.

Ted Williams, a retired Washington, D.C., homicide detective, said investigators in New York would be “reviewing the video footage prior to the shooter’s arrival at the Hilton … and the video footage to try to determine his whereabouts.”

At some point, Duffey said, “they’re going to have video of this guy exposed, and then with their forces, their surveillance teams and their video experts, they’re going to be able to put this guy through a few possible beatings – (with) a facial.” .” Using the recognition software, they can insert a type of passport or driver’s license photo.

Another aspect of the investigation, Duffey said, will take place in Thompson’s home state of Minnesota.

The manhunt for the UnitedHealth CEO’s shooting of the suspect begins on the second day when a visit to Starbucks triggers a medical exam

This undated UnitedHealth Group photo shows Brian Thompson, CEO of UnitedHealthcare. (AP Photo/UnitedHealth Group)

“Start with the inner circle,” Duffey said. “This is a murder mystery in a public neighborhood in one of the largest cities in the world… (but) if you assume it is a targeted killing, you don’t have to worry about all the common thieves and robbers on the Street people who are out to take advantage of someone… If you have a targeted person in your sights, start small, with the family – what is the situation in the family?”

A “victimology” will be conducted on Thompson, Duffey said, with investigators speaking to his family, friends and colleagues with whom he regularly interacts.

“Form a small circle and quickly rule them out as suspects, then start expanding your circle,” Duffey said.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Thompson’s wife, Pauline Thompson, from whom the CEO was separated, previously said her husband had received death threats.

“I want to know what that communication looks like and in what form,” Duffey said. “I imagine many people in (Thompson’s) position receive a variety of threats – just like a political figure. You will receive a variety of threats that could reach hundreds if not thousands… (But) you. “I don’t necessarily want to look at thousands… that will drive you over the edge.”

“They’re aiming for, ‘Do they look like they’re from the same person?’ “The way of communication, what is said, how it is said,” he continued. “(You could) go to a library and use a different IP address… but the message will be very similar. Law enforcement should be able to quickly determine if the threat is consistent with the (incident).”

Forensic evidence from the crime scene could also play a crucial role – Duffey said if the killer’s fingerprints or DNA were already in the national CODIS system of those arrested, he would be identified quickly.

If the case remains unclosed for an extended period of time, a genealogical DNA profile could be created to try to find the assassin through all relatives who would have used DNA ancestry services.

Alternatively, the public could help solve the case.

“There will be people who will recognize the features of this guy,” Duffey said. “Someone will (see photos the agency distributed) and say, ‘Oh my God, that’s my brother.'”

The NYPD is offering a $10,000 reward in the case and asks the public to call the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). You can also submit a tip via their website. All calls are treated confidentially.