New photos show UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson’s killer in Starbucks before shooting

The man wanted for shooting United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson was spotted getting coffee before brutally gunning down his target.

Natalie Brown and New York Post

2 min read

December 5, 2024 - 2:17PM

Chilling video shows gunman executing CEO

WARNING: Graphic content

The man wanted for fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City 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.

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. Picture: NYPD/AFP

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. Picture: NYPD/AFP

Chilling video showed the moment the gunman fatally shot Mr Thompson, who was on his way to speak at UnitedHealth Group’s investor conference on Wednesday morning local time when the gunman approached him from behind and “fired several rounds”, Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch told a press conference.

In footage obtained by The New York Post, the unidentified assailant – dressed in a black hoodie, black pants, gloves and wearing a grey backpack – can be seen methodically firing what appears to be a single-action handgun at the 50-year-old, pulling back the slide with each shot.

UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Picture: LinkedIn

Chilling video shows the gunman calmly shooting at UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Picture: Obtained by New York Post

Thompson stumbles back upon the first shot, which appears to hit him in the back. Picture: Obtained by New York Post

Police collect evidence outside the Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan where United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson was fatally shot. Picture: Spencer Platt/Getty Images/AFP

The father-of-two stumbles back upon the first shot, which appears to hit him in the back, briefly turning to face the shooter before falling to the footpath and attempting to crawl away as the gunman continues firing. The gunman then fled the scene on an e-Citi Bike.

Commissioner Tisch described the incident as a “premeditated, pre-planned targeted attack”.

“Many people passed the suspect but he appeared to wait for his intended target,” she said.

Mr Thompson was rushed to Mount Sinai West Hospital in a critical condition, where he was pronounced dead.

The shooter had what appeared to be a single-action handgun. Picture: NYPD

The gunman fired multiple shots at Mr Thompson. Picture: NYPD

Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny told reporters the suspect arrived at the scene about five minutes before the shooting, and emphasised that the attack on Mr Thompson appeared to be premeditated.

“The motive for this murder is currently unknown, but based on the evidence we have so far, it does appear the victim was specifically targeted,” he said.

“But at this point, we do not know why.”

Crime Scene Unit police work at the scene. Picture: Bryan R. SMITH / AFP

Mr Thompson’s wife, Paulette Thompson. Picture: Facebook

Ms Thompson said ‘there had been some threats’ against her husband. Picture: Facebook

Mr Thompson’s wife, Paulette Thompson, told NBC News in the wake of the attack that “there had been some threats” against her husband, potentially regarding a “lack of coverage” regarding his role at UnitedHealthcare.

“I don’t know details. I just know that he said there were some people that had been threatening him,” Ms Thompson said.

“I can’t really give a thoughtful response right now. I just found this out and I’m trying to console my children.”

Ms Thompson confirmed to the outlet that police had told her it is believed to have been a “targeted attack”.

The face of the suspect has been revealed. Picture: NYPD/AFP

The suspect fleeing the scene on a bicycle. Picture: NYPD/AFP

Her comments come as the New York Police Department released three surveillance photos of the suspect at a nearby Starbucks prior to the incident.

In the images, the hooded, masked man is seen standing at the counter of the coffee shop, though it was not immediately clear how long he was at the store or if he purchased anything.