Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, was killed by a masked gunman early Wednesday in a “targeted attack” outdoors a Hilton resort in Midtown the place he was anticipated to talk to a ballroom filled with colleagues, officers stated.
The capturing, police sources stated, was caught on surveillance digital camera, and Thompson, 50, was shot within the again. The NYPD launched photos of the suspected gunman holding what seems to be a pistol, and one other of him using away from the scene on a bicycle.
“Based on the evidence so far, it does appear that the victim was specifically targeted, but we do not know why,” NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny stated Wednesday. “This does not appear to be a random act of violence.”
The gunman arrived on the scene a number of minutes earlier than Thompson arrived and used a silencer, surveillance video seen by the Day by day Information exhibits.
“He was lying in wait for several minutes,” Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch stated in regards to the gunman. “Then he fired several rounds, striking the victim once in the back and right calf.”
Thompson’s household was devastated by the information of his obvious assassination.
“We’re still in shock,” Thompson’s mother-in-law, Paulette Reveiz, informed the Day by day Information Wednesday. “The only thing I can say is he’s a good man. I can’t say anything else.”
Thompson’s brother, when reached, declined to remark.
Thompson, who lives in Minnesota, had exited a resort throughout the road and was strolling to the Residences Hilton Membership on Sixth Ave. close to W. 54th St. to arrange an buyers convention about 6:45 a.m., when the gunman opened fireplace from a couple of ft away, police sources stated.
In accordance with preliminary studies, witnesses informed police that the gunman, who was wearing a tan coat, a black sweatshirt, a black face masks, black and white sneakers, and was sporting a big grey backpack, stepped out of an alley earlier than capturing Thompson, who was anticipated to present a speech at an investor day sponsored by UnitedHealthcare.
EMS rushed the sufferer to Roosevelt Hospital, the place he died of his wounds.
Kenny stated the gunman “appeared to be proficient” in dealing with firearms.
The capturing occurred in entrance of a witness that detectives try to find and query, Kenny stated.
The gunman ran via the close by Ziegfeld alleyway and jumped on a Citi Bike to flee, police stated. A cellphone was discovered the place the gunman was standing.
The gunman was final seen heading north on Sixth Ave. towards Central Park. Cops overpassed the gunman at Central Park, Kenny stated.
Mayor Adams confirmed suspicions that the gunman meant to kill Thompson.
“Our preliminary investigation is revealing that this was not a random act of violence,” Mayor Adams informed reporters Wednesday. “It appears as though this was a targeted murder and we are now looking at some evidence that they have recovered from the scene.”
Adams added that Metropolis Corridor has reached out to UnitedHealthcare to lend any help they might want.
“NYPD is on the job,” he stated. “We want to just really calm New Yorkers and particularly business executives that again, this was not what appears to be just a random act of violence — it seems to have been clearly targeted by an individual and we will apprehend that individual.”
UnitedHealthcare executives tried to go on with their presentation at 9 a.m., however finally needed to cancel the day’s itinerary, in accordance with Bloomberg Information.
“We’re dealing with a very serious medical situation,” UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty informed the gang.
Thompson was made chief government officer for UnitedHealthcare in April 2021, in accordance with his firm biography. Previous to this function, he served as CEO of UnitedHealthcare authorities packages together with Medicare & Retirement and Neighborhood & State. Earlier than main authorities packages, Thompson served as CEO of UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement.
Cops are engaged on the idea that the gunman was ready by the alley for the sufferer to move earlier than capturing him.
No arrests have been made.
Barry Williams/New York Day by day Information
Police on the scene of lethal capturing on the Residences Hilton Membership on Sixth Ave. close to W. 54th St., on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Barry Williams / New York Day by day Information)
Detectives have been scouring the realm in search of surveillance footage that might assist them monitor the shooter.
Cops are providing a $10,000 reward for any details about the gunman.
Anybody with info is requested to name NYPD Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS. All calls will likely be stored confidential.
This can be a creating story. Please examine again for updates.
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