new york
CNN
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UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was walking to a midtown Manhattan hotel where the company's annual investor conference was being held Wednesday morning when he was “brazenly targeted,” according to the New York Police Department. It was announced that he was shot and killed in a type attack.
The gunman is on the run. But law enforcement officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation is ongoing, said the perpetrators may have dropped important clues while on the run.
Shortly before 7 a.m., a masked gunman was “waiting” in subzero temperatures outside the Hilton Midtown before opening fire on Thompson, New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said.
“Many people passed the suspect, but it appeared he was waiting for his intended target,” she said at a press conference Wednesday. “Let's be clear: all indications at this point are that this was a premeditated, premeditated, targeted attack.”
Tisch said the gunman approached Thompson from behind and shot him at least once in the back and once in the right calf. Responding paramedics transported Thompson to Mount Sinai West in critical condition, where he was pronounced dead at 7:12 a.m.
The words “delay” and “abandon” were found on live ammunition and shell casings tied to the shooter, law enforcement officials told CNN on Thursday.
The word “resign” was written on the casing of the bullet fired at the victim. The live ammunition fired just as the shooter appeared to be clearing the jam had the word “delayed” written on it.
Police are investigating whether the words found refer to phrases commonly used in the insurance industry: “delay, deny, defend” and indicate a motive.
A person familiar with the investigation told CNN that UnitedHealthcare's parent company, UnitedHealth Group, was aware of the concerning threats against its executives. Officials said the threat did not mention Thompson by name. Thompson's widow, Paulette, told NBC News that “threats have been made” against her husband.
“Basically I don't know, is there a lack of coverage? I don't know the details,” she said. “All I know is that he said there were people threatening him.”
Paulette Thompson declined to comment to CNN about the threats she made to NBC.
“We are devastated to learn that our beloved Brian was senselessly murdered,” she told CNN on Wednesday. “Brian was an incredibly loving, generous, and talented man who truly lived life to the fullest and touched so many lives. Most importantly, Brian He was an incredibly loving father to a son of a man and will be greatly missed.”
UnitedHealth Group executives are supported by an internal security team, including at a conference in New York, according to people familiar with the company's security. Thompson's security guard was not with him when the early morning shooting occurred.
CNN obtains footage of United Healthcare CEO shooting death
Police said Thompson was walking to the Hilton, where he was attending an investor meeting, after leaving the hotel where he was staying across the street when he was shot.
Thompson, who was visiting from Minnesota, was shot with a weapon that appeared to be equipped with a silencer, law enforcement officials and firearms experts said.
Police described the shooting in surveillance video obtained by CNN. Authorities say the assailant climbed out from behind the car onto the sidewalk and shot the victim in the back, ignoring others. The gunman walked up and continued firing until the gun appeared to malfunction. The suspect cleared the traffic, fired again, and fled through an alley.
“He appears to be skilled in the use of firearms, as he was able to clear the malfunction fairly quickly,” NYPD Chief of Detectives Joe Kenney said at a news conference.
Firearms experts who studied the video said it appears the gun malfunctioned after each shot and was unable to load a new round into the chamber. The recording shows the gunman clearing the jam before firing each time. Experts say perpetrators react similarly to those who have received firearms training from law enforcement or the military.
Police said the suspect fled on foot and then on an electric bicycle.
Investigators told CNN that the suspect may have started running across the street and dropped a phone and a bottle of water in the alley. Police officials said video from a nearby Starbucks shows the attacker buying a bottle of water and two energy bars minutes before the shooting.
The phone could yield fingerprints, DNA and other clues to the suspect's identity if a police technician can unlock the phone. Even if it was a “burner phone,” it could provide clues about communications and the search before the shooting. Investigators say the water bottle may also contain DNA evidence.
Police said the suspect was last seen riding a bicycle into Central Park minutes after the shooting. Investigators are searching the area. Police have not found the motorcycle or gun used in the shooting, investigators told CNN.
Law enforcement officials briefed on the investigation said investigators believe the suspect may have taken the subway from the Upper West Side to Midtown and are investigating whether the bicycle had been left there beforehand. are.
Officials said police have video of the suspect carrying what appears to be an e-bike battery on the Upper West Side.
The shooting occurred at West 53rd Street and Sixth Avenue in midtown Manhattan. It's just a few blocks from Rockefeller Center, where the annual Christmas tree lighting event takes place Wednesday night.
NYPD Crime Stoppers has announced a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.
A manager at a parking lot across the street from the hotel told CNN he was in his office at the time of the shooting but did not hear any gunshots.
Mr. Thompson was appointed Chief Executive Officer of UnitedHealthcare in April 2021. UnitedHealthcare is part of UnitedHealth Group, America's largest insurance company and one of the nation's largest companies. The annual Fortune 500 list.
UnitedHealth Group abruptly ended a scheduled meeting Wednesday morning, citing a “very serious medical situation with one of our team members.”
Flags at United Healthcare's headquarters in Minnetonka, Minn., were lowered to half-staff by late morning.
UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Whitty later addressed the shooting in a one-minute video sent to employees. “There are no words to describe how so many people are feeling right now,” he said in a video obtained by CNN. “Brian was a truly extraordinary person who touched the lives of countless people across our organization and far beyond. This is a terrible tragedy and we are shocked and disbelief.” I know you have feelings.
“We are deeply saddened and shocked by the passing of our dear friend and colleague, UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson,” the company said in an official statement. “Brian was a highly respected colleague and friend to everyone he worked with. We are working closely with the New York City Police Department and appreciate everyone's patience and understanding during this difficult time.” Our hearts go out to Brian's family and everyone close to him.”
New York Governor Cathy Hochul directed the state police to provide the NYPD with “all necessary assistance in the investigation to ensure the safety of all New Yorkers.”
Minnesota Governor and former vice presidential candidate Tim Walz said Thompson's death is “a terrible loss to Minnesota's business and medical communities.”
“This is a horrific and shocking act of violence. My thoughts are with Brian Thompson's family and loved ones, and everyone who works at United Healthcare of Minnesota,” said Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar. the lawmaker said in a post Wednesday morning.
“I am appalled by the assassination of my constituent Brian Thompson this morning in New York City, and my prayers are with his family,” said Representative Dean Phillips of Minnesota's 3rd District. I wrote it.
