UnitedHealthcare CEO shot dead outside New York hotel: “brazen, targeted attack”

UnitedHealthcare CEO shot dead outside New York hotel: “brazen, targeted attack”

The CEO of UnitedHealthcare was shot and killed Wednesday morning outside a midtown Manhattan hotel in what the NYPD said appeared to be a “brazen, targeted attack.”

Jump to: SCHEDULE l WHO IS BRIAN THOMPSON?

Brian Thompson, 50, was shot and killed shortly before his annual UnitedHealthcare investor meeting. According to the Fortune 500 company’s website, Thompson has served as CEO since April 2021.

“It appears that the suspect lay in wait for several minutes and as the victim walked toward the conference hotel, the suspect approached from behind and fired several shots, hitting the victim at least once in the back and at least once in the right calf said NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch.

Tisch said many people passed by the suspect, but he appeared to be waiting for his intended target.

The shooting happened around 6:45 a.m. near W. 54th St. and 6th Avenue in front of the New York Hilton Midtown.

According to police, the victim, who was shot in the back and leg, was taken to Roosevelt Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The suspect, who was carrying a distinctive gray backpack, is described as a 1.80 meter tall, light-skinned man with a slim build. He was last seen wearing a cream-colored jacket with black gloves and a black mask. He first fled on foot, then on an e-bike. He was last seen this morning in Central Park on Center Drive.

“We won’t do it until we identify and arrest the shooter in this case,” Tisch said.

A portion of the block where the shooting occurred was cordoned off with crime tape and a large contingent of police was on scene. Many surveillance cameras are nearby.

“If you look at the video, it looks like he is proficient with firearms,” said NYPD Chief Detective Joseph Kenny.

According to his biography on UnitedHealth Group’s website, Thompson was named chief executive officer of Minnesota-based UnitedHealthcare in April 2021.

UnitedHealthcare is the insurance arm of healthcare giant UnitedHealth Group Inc., which employs more than 100,000 people worldwide. UnitedHealthcare is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans in the United States, administering health insurance coverage for employers and state and federally funded Medicaid programs.

Prior to becoming CEO, Thompson was CEO of UnitedHealthcare government programs, including Medicare & Retirement and Community & State, and CEO of UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement. Thompson joined UnitedHealth Group in 2004.

Thompson was in town for UnitedHealthcare’s 2024 investor conference. According to UnitedHealthcare’s website, the company was scheduled to stream the conference starting at 8 a.m., but no stream had been shared as of 9:30 a.m. CNBC reports that the conference held at the hotel where Thompson was shot has been canceled.

UnitedHealth Group issued the following statement: “We are deeply saddened and shocked by the passing of our dear friend and colleague Brian Thompson, CEO of UnitedHealthcare. Brian was a valued colleague and friend to all who worked with him. We are working closely together.” Contact the NYPD and ask for their patience and understanding during this difficult time. Our condolences go out to Brian’s family and everyone who was close to him.

What we don’t know

Although police said it was a targeted attack, they have not yet revealed a motive. No persons of interest have been arrested at this time.

The source: This article is based on reports from multiple news outlets, including Fox News, Associated Press and The New York Times. FOX 5 NY also collected reports from the NYPD.

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