After deadly taking pictures of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, here is what we all know

UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot and killed Wednesday morning exterior of a resort in New York Metropolis, police stated. A manhunt is underway to search out the gunman, who fled the scene on a motorcycle into Central Park.

Here’s what we all know thus far.

Taking pictures seemed to be focused assault

Thompson, 50, suffered gunshot wounds to the again and to the leg at round 6:45 a.m. ET, whereas exterior of the Hilton Midtown resort in a busy part of Manhattan. Police stated they consider this was not a random assault, and that Thompson was focused. Authorities are trying to find a motive.

“We’re deeply saddened by this morning’s occasions within the space and our ideas are with all affected by the tragedy,” a spokesperson for the resort stated in an announcement.

Investigators have video of the taking pictures through which the gunman appeared to attend for Thompson for a number of minutes previous to firing, New York Metropolis Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch stated at a briefing. The gunman arrived on the taking pictures location on foot about 5 minutes earlier than Thompson arrived.

The suspect approached Thompson from behind and fired the gun not less than twice, placing him within the again and the fitting calf, in keeping with the police commissioner. The shooter used a silencer, which is a tool that acts like a muzzle to cut back the sound of a gunshot. Video exhibits the suspect hearth the gun initially and step towards Thompson, stated NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny. The gun appeared to malfunction, however the shooter cleared the jam pretty rapidly earlier than firing once more. The CEO was not robbed.

“I wish to be clear. At the moment, each indication is that this was a premeditated, preplanned, focused assault,” Tisch stated. 

The commissioner stated the gunman ignored a number of passersby whereas seemingly mendacity in look forward to Thompson. One other particular person can be seen in safety footage standing towards the facet of the constructing between the gunman and Thompson, however simply exterior of the road of fireplace. The gunman doesn’t seem to maneuver from his place dealing with Thompson because the particular person, apparently realizing there was a taking pictures, seems up from their telephone and hurries away. 

Police didn’t reply instantly when requested whether or not Thompson had identified enemies previous to his demise or been blamed for a medical insurance recipient’s lack of protection underneath UnitedHealthcare — because the latter situation led to protests in Minnesota, the place the corporate is headquartered and the place Thompson lived, over the summer time. They stated investigators have been “taking a look at the whole lot,” together with the chief’s social media, and interviewing his colleagues and relations to work out what circumstances could have led to the incident. NYPD can be connecting with legislation enforcement in Minnesota.

The taking pictures occurred forward of an traders convention that UnitedHealth Group, the mum or dad firm of UnitedHealthcare, was scheduled to host Wednesday morning on the Hilton, in keeping with a spokesperson for the subsidiary. Thompson had labored for UnitedHealthcare since 2004 and served as its CEO since 2021.

Thompson was not a visitor on the Hilton resort, Tisch stated. He had been staying on the Marriott throughout the road and was headed to the Hilton on Wednesday morning for the convention, which was set to start at 8 a.m. Kenny stated police had reached out to Thompson’s colleagues for steering as to why he was going early to the assembly, however advised the CEO could have supposed to assist arrange for the occasion, which UnitedHealthcare canceled after the taking pictures.

A senior NYPD official advised CBS Information the truth that the gunman received to the taking pictures location solely minutes earlier than Thompson signifies he knew the place the CEO was staying, and when he would arrive on the convention.

Officers who responded to the 911 name reporting the taking pictures discovered Thompson unconscious and unresponsive once they arrived, the New York Metropolis Police Division stated. Emergency medical providers personnel transported him to Mount Sinai West, which is shut by, however Thompson succumbed to his accidents. He was pronounced lifeless on the hospital, in keeping with NYPD.

On the scene, police recovered three reside rounds and three discharged shell casings.

Suspect fled into Central Park 

After the taking pictures, the suspect fled on foot into an alleyway and received on an electrical Citi Bike, which he rode into Central Park, authorities stated on the briefing Wednesday. A cellphone was recovered within the alleyway, and authorities are processing it forensically to see whether it is related to the shooter. 

Police stated they have been working with Citi Bike to see if the GPS perform on their electrical bikes may help them pinpoint the suspect’s route. A spokesperson for Lyft, which owns and operates Citi Bike, stated the corporate was “prepared to help” with the investigation.

Police haven’t recognized suspect

The suspect remained at giant as of noon Wednesday. Police sources described him as a white male, sporting a tan-colored jacket, a black face masks and black-and-white sneakers. He additionally carried a gray backpack.

Police sources stated a number of hours after the taking pictures befell that officers have been persevering with to parse surveillance photographs and canvass the world for added video in efforts to trace down the gunman. Investigators and safety at UnitedHealthcare have been additionally reviewing recordsdata for any earlier threats, or information of disgruntled or just lately fired employees, as they tried to piece collectively a doable motive, a legislation enforcement supply stated.

“We is not going to relaxation till we arrest and apprehend the shooter on this case,” Tisch stated.

A witness stated he was inside his automobile when he heard the gunshot, CBS Information New York reported. The witness recalled seeing a person operating away with a gun in his hand, in keeping with the station.

“I used to be taking a look at my telephone and I hear the shot,” the witness advised CBS Information New York “I used to be shocked, it is the primary time I’ve ever seen against the law proper in entrance of me. Now I worry he might shoot me too.”

Anybody with details about the taking pictures has been requested to contact the NYPD by its Crime Stoppers hotline. They’ll additionally report suggestions anonymously on-line. The police division is providing a reward of as much as $10,000 for info resulting in the suspect’s arrest and conviction.

Thompson’s lengthy historical past at UnitedHealth Group

Thompson was named CEO of UnitedHealthcare, the insurance coverage department of UnitedHealth Group, in April 2021. However he was a veteran worker of the corporate who held a lot of management positions over his multi-decade tenure. Earlier than taking over this newest govt position, he served as CEO of the corporate’s authorities packages, like Medicare and retirement initiatives, along with group and state packages that present Medicaid and different well being protection to hundreds of thousands.

When he was appointed to steer UnitedHealthcare in 2021, the corporate stated in its announcement that Thompson could be chargeable for driving “continued progress throughout the worldwide, employer, particular person, specialty and authorities advantages companies whereas persevering with the corporate’s give attention to making certain entry to high-quality, inexpensive well being care.” 

UnitedHealth Group stated the corporate was “deeply saddened and shocked” by Thompson’s demise in an announcement Wednesday.

“Brian was a extremely revered colleague and buddy to all who labored with him,” the assertion stated. “We’re working intently with the New York Police Division and ask in your persistence and understanding throughout this troublesome time. Our hearts exit to Brian’s household and all who have been near him.”

Thompson’s complete compensation was $10.2 million in 2023, in keeping with UnitedHealth Group’s 2024 proxy assertion. His earnings topped $9.8 million in 2022 and $9.6 million in 2021, in keeping with the corporate. 

Current layoffs at UnitedHealth Group

Optum, one other subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group targeted on affected person providers, is at present present process a sequence of layoffs, in keeping with the Minnesota Star Tribune. The corporate in September introduced lots of of job cuts in New Jersey, California and Ohio, the majority of which have been set to take impact in December. State legal guidelines in these three locations required the employer to reveal the cuts, so layoffs might have theoretically been extra widespread however unreported. CBS Information contacted UnitedHealth Group for extra info.

Pat Milton and John Doyle contributed to this text.