Who is Brian Thompson? Everything we know about UnitedHealthcare CEO murdered in Manhattan

UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was fatally shot in what police referred to as a “brazen focused assault” in Manhattan early Wednesday.

A large manhunt is underway for the unidentified shooter, who fled the scene on a motorbike. Police searched a hostel within the Higher West Facet the place they imagine the suspect was staying, CNN reported Thursday morning.

Right here’s every part we all know thus far concerning the deadly assault on the 50-year-old insurance coverage CEO:

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Thompson shot in ‘premeditated assault’

The unidentified shooter had been hiding behind a automobile exterior the Hilton resort in Midtown Manhattan for about 5 minutes when Thompson exited, police stated. The suspect was noticed at a close-by Starbucks on West 56th Road and sixth Avenue shortly earlier than the capturing.

The shooter, who was carrying a masks, approached Thompson from behind and shot him in the appropriate calf and again at 6:46 a.m. Video of the incident reveals the shooter calmly strolling up behind Thompson earlier than capturing him a number of occasions, then calmly crossing the road. The footage additionally confirmed a bystander who witnessed the capturing and ran away because the suspect fired at Thompson.

Thompson was pronounced lifeless at a close-by hospital.

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“The shooter then walks towards the sufferer and continues to shoot. It seems that the gun malfunctions as he clears the jam and begins to fireside once more,” New York Police Division’s Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny advised reporters.

Police described the shooter as a white man carrying a black hoodie and black pants with a grey backpack. It’s believed the suspect used a gun with a silencer. A meals cart vendor close to the scene of the capturing advised NBC Information that he didn’t hear any gunshots.

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The shooter fled the scene via an alleyway on an e-bike. Police advised reporters e-bikes are outfitted with GPS gadgets. He fled through Sixth Avenue to Central Park, the place he was final seen.

The capturing was a “premeditated, preplanned focused assault,” police stated late Wednesday morning. Thompson appeared unaware he was in peril and had no safety element close to him, Kenny advised reporters.

UnitedHealth Group, which owns the insurance coverage firm, was holding its annual Investor Convention Wednesday. They’ve since canceled the occasion. Thompson was scheduled to talk there at 8 a.m.

“Brian was a extremely revered colleague and good friend to all who labored with him,” the corporate stated in an announcement. “Our hearts exit to Brian’s household and all who had been near him.”

The New York Police Division launched pictures of the suspect with no masks Thursday morning.

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Police don’t imagine the shooter is an expert.

Professional analysts who reviewed the footage advised The Wall Road Journal that the suspect dealt with the gun with ability. Kenny additionally acknowledged the shooter appeared to have expertise with weapons.

“It does appear he’s proficient in the usage of firearms,” the chief of detectives stated.

Authorities discovered three reside 9mm rounds and three discharged 9mm shell casings, in addition to a mobile phone, on the scene of the capturing. In addition they recovered a sweet wrapper and water bottle believed to belong to the suspect, in response to ABC Information.

Investigators have been in a position to carry one smudged fingerprint from the bottle, CNN studies.

The bullet casings police discovered on the scene had the phrases “deny,” “defend” and “depose” written on them, ABC Information studies. The phrases are much like a preferred phrase within the insurance coverage trade: “Deny, delay, defend.”

A 2020 e book by Jay Feinman concerning the insurance coverage trade bears an analogous title: Delay Deny Defend: Why Insurance coverage Firms Do not Pay Claims and What You Can Do About It. The e book describes itself as an “expose of insurance coverage injustice and a plan for shoppers and lawmakers to combat again.”

Feinman didn’t remark when contacted by The Unbiased.

Police have searched the HI New York Metropolis Hostel within the Higher West Facet the place the shooter was believed to be staying in a multi-person room with two different males, CNN studies. Investigators imagine the suspect checked into the hostel utilizing a pretend New Jersey ID, the New York Put up studies, citing regulation enforcement sources.

“We’re totally cooperating with the N.Y.P.D. and, as that is an lively investigation, can’t remark right now,” Danielle Norris, a spokeswoman for the hostel’s mother or father firm Hostelling Worldwide USA, stated in an announcement.

The New York Police Division can also be urging residents to proceed sending in ideas. Officers searched a Lengthy Island Railroad practice on Thursday — and whereas it didn’t flip up any proof, they emphasised the significance of data from the general public.

“The practice stopped. They searched the practice and nothing was discovered,” a spokesperson for the police division stated. “We’re getting Crime Stoppers ideas…It’s serving to. We’re following up on each single tip that’s are available.”

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Spouse reveals Thompson obtained threats as police seek for motive

Thompson’s spouse, Paulette Thompson, advised NBC Information her husband obtained threats previous to Wednesday’s capturing.

“There had been some threats,” she advised the outlet. “Mainly, I don’t know, a scarcity of [health insurance] protection? I don’t know particulars. I simply know that he stated there have been some those who had been threatening him.”

She added: “I can’t actually give a considerate response proper now. I simply discovered this out and I’m making an attempt to console my youngsters.”

Police knowledgeable her Wednesday morning that the capturing was probably a deliberate assault.

“The motive for this homicide is presently unknown, however based mostly on the proof we’ve thus far, it does seem the sufferer was particularly focused,” Kenny advised reporters. “However at this level, we have no idea why.”

UnitedHealth Group was conscious of regarding threats towards its executives forward of Wednesday’s capturing, CNN studies, citing sources with information of the investigation.

The New York Police Division Crime Stoppers are providing a $10,000 reward for data.

New York Metropolis Mayor Eric Adams stated police are nonetheless discovering extra “items to the puzzle” as of Thursday.

“We really feel that we’re shifting at a gradual tempo, and we’re going to have somebody apprehended,” Adams stated.

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Household, leaders mourn CEO

Thompson’s relations are in mourning as they course of the information.

Thompson’s sister Elena Reveiz advised The New York Occasions that her brother was a “good particular person, and I’m so unhappy.”

Thompson’s brother Mark beforehand advised The Unbiased he was not but able to touch upon the scenario.

The household put out a joint assertion on Thursday honoring Thompson.

“Brian was an extremely loving, beneficiant, gifted man who really lived life to the fullest and touched so many lives,” Thompson’s household stated in an announcement to Minnesota information outlet KARE. “We admire your condolences and request full privateness as our household strikes via this tough time,” the assertion continued.

Former vice presidential candidate and present Minnesota governor Tim Walz posted his condolences on social media.

“That is horrifying information and a horrible loss for the enterprise and well being care neighborhood in Minnesota,” Walz wrote. “Minnesota is sending our prayers to Brian’s household and the UnitedHealthcare staff.”

New York Governor Kathy Hochul stated she has been briefed on the scenario and in addition provided her condolences to Thompson’s household.

“Our hearts are with the household and family members of Mr. Thompson, and we’re dedicated to making sure the perpetrator is delivered to justice,” Hochul stated.

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New York Metropolis Mayor Eric Adams additionally assured residents the capturing didn’t seem like a random act of violence.

“We need to be clear to New Yorkers that this doesn’t seem like a random act of violence,” Adams stated on Wednesday.

Thompson is a father of two. Earlier than taking the CEO job in 2021, he labored as the corporate’s head of presidency packages.

Thompson saved a low profile with little public title recognition, the Related Press reported.

As CEO, Thompson labored out of UnitedHealthcare’s workplaces in Minnetonka, Minnesota. Thompson and his spouse had been residing in separate properties lower than a mile aside in Maple Grove, Minnesota for years, The Wall Road Journal studies.

Thompson was additionally named named in a lawsuit filed by a Florida pension fund earlier this 12 months accusing UnitedHealth of hiding an antitrust investigation by the Justice Division from shareholders whereas insiders offered inventory, in response to the Journal. Thompson had not answered the claims in courtroom earlier than Wednesday’s capturing.

Beneath his management, UnitedHealthcare supplied protection to greater than 49 million individuals, making it the most important insurance coverage firm within the US. The community consists of 1.3 million physicians and care professionals throughout practically 7,000 services.

Beneath Thompson, the corporate made $74 billion in income in the latest quarter, incomes the title of the most important subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group. Thompson made $10.2 million yearly and was one of many firm’s highest-paid staff.

Social media was peppered with complaints about medical insurance following the capturing. One commenter responded: “Dude was somebody’s father, son, brother, husband. Chill with the … tweets.”