UnitedHealthcare CEO shot dead in New York by attacker who waited for him, police say

Police are nonetheless trying to find the gunman who killed the top of a serious American medical insurance firm in New York on Wednesday in what town’s prime officer described as a “brazen focused assault.”

Brian Thompson, head of UnitedHealthcare, was shot lifeless as he walked into the Hilton lodge in midtown Manhattan simply earlier than 6:45 a.m. ET. Police stated the attacker had been ready for Thompson, who was heading to the lodge for the firm’s annual traders convention. 

“This doesn’t seem like a random act of violence,” New York Metropolis Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch stated at a information convention on Wednesday.

“Right now, each indication is that this was a premeditated, preplanned, focused assault.”

The police division’s chief of detectives, Joseph Kenny, stated the shooter acquired to the lodge about 5 minutes earlier than Thompson, who had been staying in one other lodge throughout the road. Standing alongside the constructing’s edge, the gunman let a number of folks go by unhurt earlier than opening fireplace on the businessman.

Safety footage obtained by CBC Information confirmed the gun malfunctioned, however the shooter cleared the jam. The gunman additionally ignored a witness within the video, who escaped from only a metre or two away. 

“Primarily based on the proof we now have up to now, it does seem that the sufferer was particularly focused, however at this level, we have no idea why,” Kenny stated.

The assailant escaped on foot earlier than switching to an electrical Citi Bike. They have been final seen on video driving into Central Park at 6:48 a.m., the officer stated.

Thompson, 50, was pronounced lifeless at Roosevelt Hospital at 7:12 a.m.

Kenny stated the chief didn’t seem to have a safety element and didn’t appear to appreciate he was in peril. The footage of the taking pictures does not have sound, he stated, so officers did not but know whether or not the shooter stated something to him.

‘Good friend to all’

UnitedHealth is the biggest U.S. well being insurer, offering advantages to tens of thousands and thousands of Individuals, who pay extra for well being care than these in every other nation.

The corporate has been grappling with the fallout from an enormous knowledge hack of its Change Healthcare unit that gives expertise for U.S. well being suppliers, disrupting medical look after sufferers and reimbursement to docs for months.

WATCH | Police commissioner’s full remarks: 

Medical health insurance CEO shot lifeless in ‘brazen focused assault,’ police say

New York Metropolis police Commissioner Jessica Tisch stated Brian Thompson, 50, was shot lifeless in what seems to be ‘a premeditated, preplanned, focused assault’ in Manhattan.

UnitedHealth Group chief government Andrew Witty took the stage about one hour after the convention began Wednesday and introduced the remainder of this system could be cancelled.

“We’re coping with a really critical medical scenario with one in all our group members, and consequently, I am afraid we will should bring to an end the occasion right this moment,” he stated.

Thompson, who lived in Minnesota, had been within the metropolis since Monday. He had served as CEO for greater than three years and began with the corporate since 2004. 

“Brian was a extremely revered colleague and buddy to all who labored with him. We’re working carefully with the New York Police Division and ask on your endurance and understanding throughout this troublesome time,” it learn.

“Our hearts exit to Brian’s household and all who have been near him.”

Police stated they’re nonetheless working to find out a motive.

The Hilton is in a bustling a part of Manhattan, a brief stroll from vacationer websites such because the Museum of Fashionable Artwork and Rockefeller Middle and sometimes dense with vacationers and workplace employees on weekday mornings.

Police stated the taking pictures wouldn’t have an effect on the annual Christmas tree lighting at Rockefeller Middle, a couple of blocks from the Hilton, which pulls giant crowds and is scheduled to happen in a televised occasion on Wednesday night.

A part of the block the place the taking pictures came about was cordoned off with police tape, with a big contingent of cops on the scene. 

Officers are additionally working with Citi Bike to trace the GPS-enabled bicycle the shooter used and analyze a cellphone present in a close-by alley.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz stated the state is “sending our prayers to Brian’s household and the UnitedHealthcare group.”

“That is horrifying information and a horrible loss for the enterprise and health-care neighborhood in Minnesota,” Walz wrote on X, previously Twitter.

UnitedHealthcare is the biggest supplier of Medicare Benefit plans within the U.S. and manages medical insurance protection for employers, in addition to Medicaid packages funded by the state and federal governments.