Brian Thompson led one of the largest health insurance companies in the United States but was unknown to the millions of people his decisions affected. Then a masked suspect fatally shot UnitedHealthcare’s CEO on Dec. 4.
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NYPD releases masked suspect photos and shooting details
The incident occurred on a sidewalk in the middle of Manhattan in New York City, according to the Associated Press. The NYPD is still investigating the shooting and now believes Brian Thompson was “targeted.” A masked suspect has not been identified, but police have released a photo of the attacker 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, according to 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 to face the masked suspect. The footage allegedly shows the gun briefly jamming before the suspect clears it and resumes firing. 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. Just before the attacker fled, Brian Thompson collapsed on the pavement. The suspect fled on foot before pedaling an e-Citi Bike into Central Park a few blocks away. Thompson suffered gunshot wounds to the chest and leg.
Detective Superintendent Joseph Kenny confirmed that investigators are still investigating the case. In the hours after the fatal shooting, police officers have been scouring the UnitedHealthcare CEO’s social media accounts and interviewing employees and family members. But Chief Kenny said so far Brian Thompson has not “It doesn’t seem like he had any problems at all.”
Meanwhile, NYC Police Chief Jessica Tisch said the attacker had been waiting for Brian to arrive and was ignoring others walking by. A source revealed to the NYT that the suspect had visited a nearby Starbucks before the shooting. Additional evidence reviewed by The Times suggests the attacker had arrived in the area at least 10 minutes before killing Thompson.
Pictures from Starbucks reportedly show a white man in a dark hooded coat with a dark mask covering half his face. The NYPD is offering a $10,000 reward for information that led to the arrest of the masked suspect.
What you should 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 those who were close to him,” said the statement.
Brian Thompson lived in a suburb of Minneapolis 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 his insurance arm since 2021 after leading its Medicare and pensions business. Thompson was one of the company’s highest paid executives. His annual salary of $10.2 million included his salary, bonus and stock option awards.
The AP reports that UnitedHealthcare provides health coverage to more than 49 million Americans. It is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans, sells individual policies 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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