UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, 50, was fatally shot Wednesday morning outside the Hilton hotel in Midtown Manhattan in what police described as a “premeditated, targeted attack.”
Surveillance footage captured the hooded gunman at a nearby Starbucks shortly before the shooting. The NYPD has released photos of the suspect, including one of him apparently aiming a handgun. See photos here.
The suspect reportedly waited near the scene before firing multiple shots, striking Thompson in the back and leg, and fleeing on an e-Citi Bike into Central Park.
Thompson, in town to speak at an investor conference, had reportedly received threats related to his role as CEO of America’s largest private insurer.
The man wanted for fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Midtown Wednesday morning was spotted inside a nearby Starbucks before killing his target, police said.
The NYPD released a new photo of the hooded suspect standing in front of the counter at the Starbucks at W. 56th Street and 6th Avenue, just minutes away from the Hilton hotel where he gunned down Thompson, 50.
It was not immediately clear how long the gunman, who has yet to be identified, was at the Starbucks or if he purchased anything.
Officials said that after firing at Thompson multiple times, with bullets striking his back and right calf, the gunman quickly fled the scene on foot.
He was then spotted mounting an e-Citi Bike on Sixth Avenue and disappearing into Central Park, according to NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny.
Thompson was rushed to the nearby Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Police do not suspect the shooting was a random act of violence, claiming the gunman staked out the hotel, where Thompson was due to speak at an investors’ conference later that day for UnitedHealth Group.
Thompson’s wife, Paulette “Pauley” Thompson, 51, said that before the shooting, the father of two had received threats related to his job leading America’s largest private insurer.
“Every indication shows that this is a premeditated, preplanned, targeted attack,” NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch told reporters.
No arrests have been made so far as police search for the suspect.
NYPD Crime Stoppers has put out a $10,000 reward for information regarding Thompson’s murder.
