Masked Suspect at Large, Last Seen Fleeing into Central Park
NEW YORK, Dec 4 (Reuters) – Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealth’s insurance division, was fatally shot early Wednesday morning outside a hotel in Midtown Manhattan in what authorities are calling a targeted attack. Thompson, 50, was shot around 6:45 a.m. ET outside the Hilton on Sixth Avenue, just moments before the company’s annual investor conference. He was rushed to a nearby hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after.
New York City police confirmed the gunman fled on foot before riding off on an electric bike into Central Park. Authorities noted that the shooting did not appear to be random. “This was a premeditated, pre-planned, targeted attack,” said NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch during a press briefing.
The suspect, described as wearing a mask and carrying a gray backpack, reportedly waited for Thompson to appear, ignoring other pedestrians before shooting him in the back. Surveillance footage suggested the gun may have been fitted with a silencer, though this detail remains unconfirmed. The gunman evaded capture and remains on the run.
Thompson’s wife, Paulette, spoke to NBC News, revealing that her husband had received threats but did not know specific details. She hinted that the motive might be related to insurance issues, though she was uncertain. “I know there were some people that had been threatening him,” she said.
As CEO of UnitedHealthcare, a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group, Thompson led the nation’s largest health insurance company, serving millions of Americans. His leadership came amid significant challenges for the company, including fallout from a major data breach involving its Change Healthcare division.
The shooting occurred just hours before New York’s annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony at Rockefeller Center, only a few blocks away. Despite the violence, officials confirmed the event would go on as planned under heightened security.
Thompson’s death also impacted UnitedHealth’s scheduled investor conference. Shortly after the shooting, CEO Andrew Witty announced the cancellation of the event due to a “serious medical situation.” Attendees were reportedly shaken, with some confused and frightened by the unfolding events.
Dave Ricks, CEO of Eli Lilly, who spoke at another conference in the city, expressed shock at the tragedy. “He was essentially assassinated in the street, going to his investor conference,” Ricks said.
Thompson had been with UnitedHealth for nearly two decades, holding various roles before becoming CEO of UnitedHealthcare in 2021. The company later removed his biography from its website, issuing a statement expressing their condolences. “Our hearts go out to Brian’s family and all who were close to him,” UnitedHealth said.
The shooting, which took place in a busy tourist area, shocked visitors and locals alike. Heather Higginson, a visitor from London, was staying at the Hilton and described the incident as unsettling. “That’s not what you want to hear at Christmas, is it? It’s very sad,” she said.
In May, Thompson and other UnitedHealth executives were named in a lawsuit involving allegations of insider trading. A firefighters’ pension fund in Hollywood, Florida, accused the executives of selling large amounts of company stock before the public disclosure of a U.S. Department of Justice antitrust probe.
While New York City has seen a drop in homicides this year, with 347 recorded through December 1, the violent nature of the attack has left many shaken. The investigation is ongoing as police work to determine a motive for the killing.
