A tragic morning unfolded outside the Hilton hotel in Midtown Manhattan where Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, was assassinated in a meticulously planned attack.
The New York Post reported that the fatal shooting by a masked assailant occurred early Wednesday, stunning the business and healthcare community. Thompson was shot dead outside a luxury hotel shortly before hosting an important investors' conference.
The crime took place around 6:46 a.m., captured on hotel surveillance cameras. The footage showed a masked gunman, armed with a silenced firearm, targeting Thompson as he prepared for his day.
This ruthless precision has led the NYPD to believe the attack was deliberate and someone may have hired the professional shooter to kill Thompson.
Witnesses described the attacker as calm and methodical. Emerging from behind a parked car, the gunman fired at Thompson, hitting him in the back and right calf before fleeing the scene. A witness told PIX11, “I hear a shot. When I look around, I saw a guy with a gun. He shot three times, then he starts running.”
The assailant made a quick escape on an e-bike, heading toward Central Park. Despite multiple witnesses, the shooter's identity was obscured by his mask and swift departure. The NYPD swiftly launched a manhunt, with the Chief of Detectives Joe Kenny expressing confidence in the targeted nature of the assault.
Investigators later found a cellphone, water bottle, and live ammunition near the scene, believed to have been left by the gunman. These items are undergoing forensic analysis to glean any potential leads.
In the wake of the attack, the NYPD and CrimeStoppers have announced a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the gunman.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch emphasized the direct nature of the attack, noting, “Many people passed the suspect, but he appeared to wait for his intended target.”
Thompson was quickly rushed to Mount Sinai West Hospital, where he was pronounced dead by 7:12 a.m. Despite prompt medical attention and CPR by first responders, his injuries were fatal.
The precision of the attack and the subsequent flight into one of New York’s most dense urban parks have added layers of complexity to the case.
Mayor Eric Adams addressed the city, asserting the targeted nature of the incident and reassuring New Yorkers of ongoing efforts to capture the assailant, “It seemed to have been clearly targeted by an individual, and we will apprehend that individual,” he stated.
Thompson, who earned nearly $9.9 million a year, had been with UnitedHealthcare during turbulent times, including controversy over claim rejections and a federal lawsuit concerning stock offloading. His leadership faced intense scrutiny, balancing corporate growth against public and legal challenges, including a Department of Justice antitrust investigation.
Despite these challenges, colleagues remember him as a transformative leader focused on improving healthcare delivery.
UnitedHealthcare expressed profound grief over his death, describing Thompson as a respect-inspiring figure within the industry. “Brian was a highly respected colleague and friend to all who worked with him,” the company stated.
Survived by his wife and two children, Thompson's loss resonates deeply within the community and his family. His wife, Paulette Thompson, mentioned to NBC News that there had been threats prior to this event, possibly linked to his professional decisions, though details remain sparse.
As the investigation progresses, law enforcement continues to piece together the sequence of events leading to Thompson’s death. Governor Kathy Hochul expressed her condolences, marking the incident as “a terrible loss for the business and health care community in Minnesota,” highlighting Thompson’s broad impact.
The community and Thompson’s associates await answers, hoping for justice in a case that has not only taken a life but also shaken the foundations of corporate and public safety in New York City.
As surveillance operations persist, the city is on alert, and the healthcare community mourns one of its pillars, seeking closure in a senseless act of violence.
