UnitedHealthcare CEO Fatally Shot, Gunman Nonetheless at Massive

The CEO of insurance coverage big UnitedHealthcare, Brian Thompson, was shot and killed Wednesday morning in New York in what gave the impression to be a focused assault, in accordance with Mayor Eric Adams. Thompson, 50, was an government vice chairman of UnitedHealthcare’s mum or dad firm, United Well being Group, which was holding its annual investor convention in Midtown Manhattan.

Thompson was shot outdoors the Hilton Lodge at 54th and sixth Ave by a gunman who fired a number of pictures and fled on an ebike down sixth Avenue, in accordance with the NYPD. Thompson was shot “not less than as soon as within the again and not less than as soon as within the calf,” in accordance with a spokesperson from the New York Police Division at a press convention that was livestreamed on YouTube.

The gunman continues to be at giant and witnesses gave conflicting reviews to police of what he regarded like. Some witnesses described a person in a cream-colored coat whereas others mentioned the person was sporting all black, in accordance with the Instances. The New York Post obtained surveillance footage that reveals a determine in a darker-colored hooded sweatshirt who was sporting a lighter-colored backpack, which might be the place the confusion lies. The suspect additionally wore a black face masks.

Surveillance pictures present suspect in deadly Midtown taking pictures of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson https://t.co/mWQJgx0Cje pic.twitter.com/gqYdacOuZG

— New York Submit (@nypost) December 4, 2024

Thompson was reportedly shot round 6:45 a.m. ET, he was pronounced lifeless on the hospital at 7:12 a.m. The investor’s convention began at 8:00 a.m. however wasn’t stopped till shortly after 9:00 a.m. Attendees of the convention appeared oblivious to the id of the taking pictures sufferer, in accordance with the New York Instances, which quoted one particular person saying “somebody bought shot outdoors,” apparently unaware it was the corporate’s CEO.

Police recovered a cellphone allegedly discarded by the suspect close to the taking pictures however NYPD didn’t present any particulars about any proof it could have been capable of elevate from that but. The factor that’s clear is that this was a focused act and the shooter was described by police as “proficient in firearms” as a result of the shooter rapidly cleared a jam that occurred when he was unloading a number of rounds.

“We need to be clear to New Yorkers that this doesn’t seem like a random act of violence,” Adams mentioned, in accordance with the New York Times.

Social media rapidly crammed with reactions to the taking pictures, together with every part from shock to some darkish humor. Given UnitedHealth’s lengthy historical past of denying claims, there have been quite a lot of jokes about how there are most likely 100 million suspects on this nation.

UnitedHealth Group is among the largest firms within the nation and headquartered in Minnesota, the place politicians expressed their condolences. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a Democrat from Minnesota, shared a hyperlink to a Star Tribune article concerning the killing.

“It is a horrifying and stunning act of violence,” Klobuchar wrote on X. “My ideas are with Brian Thompson’s household and family members and all these working at United Healthcare in Minnesota.”

Police in New York are providing a $10,000 reward for data that results in the arrest of the suspect. UnitedHealth’s inventory surged over 2.4% after information of the killing. It’s at present sitting up 1.4% on the day.