UnitedHealthcare CEO Fatally Shot in Manhattan

• UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was fatally shot in New York City on Wednesday, police said.
• Thompson, 50, appeared to be killed in a targeted attack, said the NYPD.
• The CEO worked at the healthcare giant for 20 years.

The CEO of UnitedHealthcare, Brian Thompson, was fatally shot outside Manhattan’s New York Hilton Midtown hotel early Wednesday morning in what police say appears to be “a brazen, targeted attack.”

“This does not appear to be a random act of violence,” New York Police Department Commissioner Jessica Tisch told reporters at a press conference hours after the 6:46 a.m. shooting that unfolded outside 1335 6th Avenue.

Thompson, 50, had been walking toward the Hilton hotel where he was set to speak at UnitedHealth Group’s 8 a.m. investor conference when a hooded gunman opened fire on the CEO from behind, unloading several rounds and striking him at least once in the back and at least once in the right calf, police said.

“It appears the suspect was lying in wait for several minutes,” Tisch said.

Following the shooting, the suspect fled the scene, first on foot, and then on an electric Citi Bike, said police. The suspect, who remains on the run, was last seen in Manhattan’s Central Park on Wednesday morning, police said. The NYPD is offering a $10,000 reward for tips leading to the gunman’s arrest.

The shooting was captured on surveillance footage. NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said at the press conference that the shooter arrived on 6th Avenue about five minutes prior to Thompson.

“The shooter steps onto the sidewalk from behind the car. He ignores numerous other pedestrians, approaches the victim from behind and shoots him in the back,” Kenny said. “The shooter then walks toward the victim and continues to shoot.”

During the attack, the shooter’s gun appeared to malfunction, but the suspect quickly managed to fix the jam, Kenny said.

“From watching the video, it does seem that he’s proficient in the use of firearms, as he was able to clear the malfunctions pretty quickly,” said Kenny.

A law enforcement source with knowledge of the matter told BI that the surveillance shows a hooded gunman dressed in black with a gray backpack initially opening fire on Thompson from behind from about a 20-foot distance as the CEO walked in the direction of the hotel.

“He definitely knew where he was going to be,” the source said of the shooter.

The law enforcement source, who is not authorized to speak to the press, said it appeared the gun was equipped with a silencer.

When officers arrived at the scene two minutes after the shooting, they found Thompson unconscious and unresponsive, police said. Emergency responders rushed him to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead at 7:12 a.m.

The shooting occurred blocks from Midtown holiday tourism landmarks, including Radio City Music Hall and Rockefeller Center, where its Christmas tree is scheduled to be lit Wednesday night.

By late morning, six evidence cups remained on the taped-off section of the sidewalk where the shooting happened.

“That’s covering the shell casings,” an officer at the scene told BI, declining to give their name because they were not authorized to speak to the media.

UnitedHealth Group, the parent company of UnitedHealthcare, canceled its “investor day” conference shortly after reports of the shooting broke.

Investigators have not yet determined a motive for the killing.

Kenny said investigators are combing through Thompson’s social media, interviewing employees and family members and will be speaking to law enforcement in Minnesota where Thompson lived and where UnitedHealth Group and UnitedHealthcare are based.

Thompson’s wife, Paulette Thompson, told NBC News in an interview that her husband had been receiving threats.

“There had been some threats,” Paulette Thompson told the news outlet. “Basically, I don’t know, a lack of coverage? I don’t know details. I just know that he said there were some people that had been threatening him.”

The police department in his hometown of Maple Grove, MN, told BI it wasn’t notified of any threats he may have received. Theresa Keehn, Maple Grove police administrator, said the department has no record of calls for service to his house.

NYPD said Thompson arrived in New York City on Monday and was staying at a hotel across the street from where he was shot.

Meanwhile, UnitedHealth Group said in a statement, “We are deeply saddened and shocked at the passing of our dear friend and colleague Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare.”

“Brian was a highly respected colleague and friend to all who worked with him,” the statement said. “We are working closely with the New York Police Department and ask for your patience and understanding during this difficult time. Our hearts go out to Brian’s family and all who were close to him.”

Thompson spent 20 years at the healthcare giant, and served as CEO of UnitedHealthcare, the health benefits unit, since April 2021.

As CEO, Thompson “will drive continued growth across the global, employer, individual, specialty, and government benefits business while continuing the company’s focus on ensuring access to high-quality, affordable health care,” the company said at the time, announcing his new role.

Thompson had previously served as CEO of the group’s government programs, running its programs for Medicare and Medicaid recipients.

In a statement on the social media site X, Minnesota governor and former vice presidential candidate Tim Walz said the shooting death was “horrifying news and a terrible loss for the business and health care community in Minnesota.”

“Minnesota is sending our prayers to Brian’s family and the UnitedHealthcare team,” Walz said.

This story was updated.