What we know about the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson

New York City police officers are using facial recognition technology and a discarded cell phone to identify the man who shot and killed UnitedHealthcare Chief Executive Brian Thompson Wednesday morning.

Thompson, 50, was fatally shot in the back shortly before 07:00 EST (12:00 GMT) outside the Hilton Hotel in midtown Manhattan.

The attacker fled the scene without taking any of Thompson’s belongings. Police suspect that he was targeted for premeditated murder.

Here’s what we know about the suspect and the investigation.

The shooting happened at around 06:45 EST (11:45 GMT) in a busy part of Manhattan near Times Square and Central Park. Thompson was scheduled to speak at an investor conference later in the day.

According to police, the suspect – wearing a black mask and cream jacket – waited for five minutes outside the Hilton Hotel where Thompson was expected to speak.

Thompson, who was on foot, was shot in the back and leg and was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.

NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenney revealed that the suspect’s weapon malfunctioned, but he was able to quickly fix it and continue shooting.

The video shows them fleeing the scene on foot; He was last seen riding an electric bicycle in Central Park

So far, the investigation into Thompson’s killing has focused on a few clues police are using to identify a suspect.

Police revealed the suspect was photographed at a nearby Starbucks just minutes before the shooting.

While he is masked in the film, police sources told the BBC’s US partner CBS, the mask is pulled down far enough so that his eyes and part of his nose can be seen.

With that, investigators are trying to find a match using facial recognition software.

Additionally, police are examining three bullet casings and three live rounds for DNA.

A cell phone was found in the alley on the suspect’s escape route. Police say they are working over the phone.

Investigators said they would search Thompson’s room at a nearby Marriott down the street from where the incident took place.

Investigators have not yet identified a motive for the killing, although police noted that the assailant fled without taking any of Thompson’s belongings.

In an interview with MSNBC, Thompson’s wife said there had been “some threats” against him, though she could not provide details.

“I know he said that some people were threatening him,” he said.

According to police in Thompson’s hometown of Maple Grove, Minnesota, there was a suspicious incident at his home earlier in 2018.

The incident was cleared as no criminal activity was detected. No additional details were provided.