New York City Police Continue Search for Suspect in Brian Thompson's Murder

(Reuters) – New York City police are still searching for the gunman who killed UnitedHealth executive Brian Thompson outside a Midtown Manhattan hotel early Wednesday. Here is what is known about the tragic incident, Thompson, and the suspect:

What Happened? How Did the Suspect Escape?

Around 6:45 a.m. ET on Wednesday, Thompson was walking alone from his hotel towards a Hilton hotel in Midtown Manhattan when a gunman, wearing a dark-colored hoodie and a backpack, approached from behind and shot him in the back.

Thompson staggered and fell. Surveillance video shows a witness fleeing as the gunman fired a second time, appearing to jam his weapon before resuming shooting from a short distance. The gunman fled across the street and then rode a bike into nearby Central Park, where he was last seen. The police stated he had arrived before Thompson and waited for him to walk past before ignoring other bystanders and opening fire.

Who Was Brian Thompson?

Brian Thompson, aged 50, lived in Maple Grove, Minnesota. He had served as CEO of UnitedHealthcare, UnitedHealth Group's insurance unit, since April 2021. Thompson was in New York for the company's annual investor conference at the time of his tragic death.

He worked at UnitedHealth for approximately 20 years and had also led its government programs and Medicare and retirement divisions. His wife, Paulette, described him as a loving, generous, and talented person who made a significant impact on many lives.

Thompson graduated from the University of Iowa in 1997 with degrees in business administration and accounting. UnitedHealth is the largest health insurer in the U.S. In May, the company, along with Thompson and two other executives, faced a lawsuit from a Florida pension fund accusing them of insider trading related to a U.S. Department of Justice investigation into UnitedHealth.

What Evidence Have the Police Found?

Surveillance footage suggests a silencer may have been used, but this has not yet been confirmed. The gun has not been located. CNN reported that the perpetrator dropped a phone and a bottle of water in a nearby alley.

What Do We Know About the Suspect?

Authorities have not yet identified a suspect, but CNN reported that police are investigating a hostel in New York's Upper West Side that he may have stayed in prior to the attack. The NYPD has published several photos from security footage, including one of him raising his gun, and another of him fleeing on a bike. The suspect appears light-skinned and of average build, and other photos provide glimpses of his facial features.

What Was the Motive?

As of now, the motive remains unknown, but police revealed that the words "deny," "defend," and "depose" were carved into shell casings found at the scene. These terms reference a book critical of the insurance industry titled "Delay Deny Defend: Why Insurance Companies Don't Pay Claims and What You Can Do About It," published in 2010.

Paulette Thompson informed NBC News that her husband had received job-related threats, though she did not provide specifics. Minnesota police have no records of specific threats against Thompson, except for an incident in 2018 when Paulette reported seeing a deadbolt turn on their front door, which police found no signs of an attempted break-in.