The New York City Police Department (NYPD) is targeting US healthcare executives after identifying a “hit list” posted online following the assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last week. , warned that lives were in danger.
Thompson's killing has prompted companies to scramble to give their executives more protection from the threat of copycat killings, and the case has been praised by some on social media.
The NYPD's warning was announced in a bulletin highlighting a viral post disclosing the names and salaries of several other health insurance executives. In addition to the social media posts, multiple “wanted” signs depicting the company's chief executives have been posted across Manhattan, according to a bulletin first reported by ABC.
The suspect in Ms Thompson's murder, Luigi Mangione, has been hailed as a “martyr” on social media and has been charged with second-degree murder, raising concerns that the crime could serve as an inspiration. He appeared in court in Pennsylvania on Tuesday. CNN reported that two law enforcement officials said that the fingerprints at the assassination scene matched Mangione's fingerprints.
CNN reported that Mangione was found in possession of a notebook in which he had written about shooting a medical executive at a “bean counter” meeting.
“What's your occupation? You surprised the CEO with your annual parasite beancounter convention. It's targeted, it's accurate, and it doesn't endanger innocent people.” CNN reported that officials said some sections of the note. Thompson was shot as he arrived at a hotel for a UnitedHealthcare investor meeting.
A New York City police bulletin said the charges against Mr. Mangione “could incite a wide range of extremists and other disgruntled actors to violence,” and urged businesses to beef up security.
“Before and after the identification and arrest of the suspected perpetrator, some online users on social media platforms responded positively to the killing, encouraged targeting of similar executives in the future, and shared conspiracy theories about the shooting. I did,” he added.
The newspaper highlighted some of the posts justifying the shooting of Mr. Thompson outside the Hilton Hotel in central Manhattan on December 4 by citing misconduct in the US health insurance industry.
“My mother suffered so much because she was repeatedly refused chemotherapy and missed her cancer for two years. Chemotherapy will cause life-altering damage to her,” one user wrote. I wrote it.
There was also a post on Reddit: “Politicians are at risk and corporations are suffocating us. All CEOs should be considered. The worst thing is for the government to be bought by CEOs who have immediate influence on the public.”
CNN reported that Thompson's killing prompted a concerned response from executives outside the medical industry.
“American companies are nervous. People are on high alert,” Keith Wojciechek, global head of intelligence at financial risk and advisory firm Kroll, told the network. “Companies want to strengthen their security posture. Now healthcare is the target, but who will be next?”
Security firm Global Guardian said it had received 70 calls from companies involved in the 36 hours after Thompson's killing, as executives seek to strengthen the security of corporate offices and residences.
“This is a huge wake-up call. The atmosphere has changed dramatically in a very short period of time,” Global Guardian Vice President Seth Krumrich told CNN.
