Brian Thompson led one of the biggest health insurers in the U.S. but was unknown to millions of people his decisions affected. Then, a masked suspect fatally shot the UnitedHealthcare CEO on December 4.
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NYPD Releases Masked Suspect Photos & Shooting Details
The incident occurred on a midtown Manhattan sidewalk in New York City, per the Associated Press. NYPD is still investigating the shooting and now believes Brian Thompson was “targeted.” A masked suspect has not been identified, but cops have released a photo of the assailant pointing the gun and fleeing the scene.
At the time of the shooting, around 6:45 a.m., the CEO was entering the Hilton Midtown Hotel for UnitedHealthcare’s annual investor conference, per the New York Times. Thompson was alone when the masked suspect shot him in the back. Surveillance video reportedly shows the 50-year-old stumbling after the first shot and turning around to face the masked suspect. Footage allegedly shows the gun briefly jamming before the suspect clears it and resumes shooting. The suspect used a silencer to mask the sound.
According to the New York Police Department, the UnitedHealthcare CEO did not have a security detail. Right before the assailant escaped, Brian Thompson collapsed to the sidewalk. The suspect fled on foot before pedaling an e-Citi Bike into Central Park a few blocks away. Thompson sustained gunshot wounds to his chest and leg.
Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny confirmed the investigators are still investigating the case. In the hours after the fatal shooting, cops have been sweeping the UnitedHealthcare CEO’s social media accounts and interviewing employees and family members. However, Chief Kenny said that, so far, Brian Thompson doesn’t “seem like he had any issues at all.”
Meanwhile, NYC Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch shared that the attacker had waited for Brian to arrive, ignoring others strolling past. A source revealed to the NYT that the suspect had visited a nearby Starbucks before the shooting. Additional evidence reviewed by The Times indicates the attacker had arrived in the area at least 10 minutes before killing Thompson.
Images from Starbucks reportedly show a white man in a dark, hooded coat with a dark mask covering half of his face. The NYPD is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the masked suspect’s arrest.
What To Know About UnitedHealthcare’s CEO
According to the NYT, UnitedHealthcare issued a statement saying it was “deeply saddened and shocked” by the death of its CEO. “Our hearts go out to Brian’s family and all who were close to him,” the statement said.
Brian Thompson lived in a Minneapolis suburb and was the father of two high school students. The 50-year-old had worked at UnitedHealth Group Inc. for 20 years. He has been running its insurance branch since 2021 after leading its Medicare and retirement business. Thompson was one of the company’s highest-paid executives. His $10.2 million annual pay included his salary, bonus, and stock options awards.
AP reports that UnitedHealthcare provides health coverage to more than 49 million Americans. It is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans, sells individual insurance, and administers health insurance coverage for thousands of employers and state- and federally funded Medicaid programs. Last year, under Brian Thompson’s leadership, the company brought in $281 billion in revenue.
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AP reporters Adam Geller, Tom Murphy, Michael R. Sisak, and Steve Karnowski contributed to this report.
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