Health insurance executive killed in Manhattan in targeted attack

New York: Brian Thompson, the chief executive of UnitedHealth’s insurance unit, was fatally shot on Wednesday morning outside a Midtown Manhattan hotel in what appeared to be a targeted attack by a gunman lying in wait, New York City police officials said.

The shooting occurred about 6.45am (New York time) outside the Hilton on Sixth Avenue, where the company’s annual investor conference was about to take place. Thompson was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The attacker remained at large on Wednesday afternoon, sparking a search that included police drones, helicopters and dogs.

“This does not appear to be a random act of violence,” New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said at a press conference. “Every indication is that this was a premeditated, preplanned, targeted attack.”

The suspect, wearing a mask and carrying a grey backpack, fled on foot before mounting an electric bike and riding into Central Park, police said.

Law enforcement authorities said the gunman appeared to use a silencer on his weapon, CNN reported.

UnitedHealthcare’s parent company UnitedHealth Group said Thompson was a highly respected colleague and friend to all who worked with him.

“We are working closely with the New York Police Department and ask for your patience and understanding during this difficult time,” it said in a statement. “Our hearts go out to Brian’s family and all who were close to him.”

The suspect sought in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside a Manhattan hotel where the health insurer was holding an investor conference.Credit: AP

UnitedHealth Group is the largest US health insurer, providing benefits to tens of millions of Americans who pay more for healthcare than in any other country.

Video showed the gunman arrived outside the Hilton about five minutes before Thompson. He ignored several other people walking by, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny told reporters.

When Thompson approached the hotel, the gunman shot him in the back with a pistol and then continued firing, even after his gun appeared to jam.

“Based on the evidence we have so far, it does appear that the victim was specifically targeted, but at this point, we do not know why,” Kenny said.

The shooting happened not long before the scheduled investor conference at the Hilton. The company’s chief executive Andrew Witty took to the stage about an hour after the event started to announce the rest of the program would be cancelled.

Brian Thompson, in a photo provided by UnitedHealth Group.Credit: AP

“We’re dealing with a very serious medical situation with one of our team members, and as a result, I’m afraid we’re going to have to bring to a close the event today,” he said.

Police tape blocked off the area on 54th Street outside the Hilton, where blue plastic gloves were strewn about, and plastic cups appeared to mark the location of bullet casings.

Thompson’s wife, Paulette Thompson, told NBC News that he told her “there were some people that had been threatening him”. She didn’t have details but suggested the threats may have involved issues with insurance coverage.

Eric Werner, the police chief in the Minneapolis suburb where Thompson lived, said his department had not received any reports of threats against the executive.

The suspect fleeing on bike after the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.Credit: AP

The killing shook a part of New York City that is normally quiet at that hour, happening about four blocks from where tens of thousands of people were set to gather for Wednesday night’s Christmas tree lighting. Police promised extra security for the event.

“The police were here in seconds. It’s New York. It’s not normal here at seven in the morning, but it’s pretty scary,” said Christian Diaz, who said he heard the gunfire from the nearby University Club Hotel where he works.

Police issued a poster showing a surveillance image of the man pointing what appeared to be a gun and another image that appeared to show the same person on a bicycle.

Minutes before the shooting, he stopped at a nearby Starbucks, according to additional surveillance photos released by police. They offered a reward of up to $US10,000 ($15,500) for information leading to an arrest and conviction.

Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota, where the company is based, said the state was sending prayers to Thompson’s family and the UnitedHealthcare team.

“This is horrifying news and a terrible loss for the business and healthcare community in Minnesota,” he said in a statement.

Thompson, a father of two sons, had been with the company since 2004 and served as chief executive for more than three years.

He was appointed head of its insurance group in April 2021 after working in several departments, according to its website.

“Sometimes you meet a lot of fake people in these corporate environments. He certainly didn’t ever give me the impression of being one of them,” said Antonio Ciaccia, chief executive of healthcare research non-profit 46brooklyn, who knew Thompson.

“He was a genuinely thoughtful and respectable guy.”

Reuters, AP

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