A manhunt for the killer of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, who was shot dead on Wednesday morning, is underway.
Brian Thompson, 50, was shot outside the Hilton hotel at 1335 Avenue of the Americas just after 6:45 am after arriving early for the company’s annual investor conference. A man wearing a mask approached him and fired at him repeatedly, police said as per CBS news.
The shooting happened ahead of an investors conference that UnitedHealth Group, the parent company of UnitedHealthcare, was scheduled to host on Wednesday at the Hilton, according to a spokesperson for the subsidiary.
According to the cctv footage, that is being circulated on social media platforms, the shooter appeared to be a light-skinned male, wearing a light-brown or cream-colored jacket, a black face mask, black and white sneakers, and a distinctive grey backpack.
Authorities said the gun appeared to malfunction, and the gunman cleared the jam before firing again and fleeing northbound into an alleyway between 54th Street and 55th Street. The shooter then continued to walk westbound on the Avenue of the Americas, where he got on to an electric Citi Bike and rode northbound towards Central Park, CBS news reported.
Police say they recovered three live 9mm rounds and three discharged 9mm shell casings. Authorities also recovered a cellphone.
Authorities are also investigating the suspect’s point of origin.
Surveillance images released by the police show the suspect at a Starbucks, located two blocks from the incident, moments before the shooting. According to police statements to CBS News, they discovered unspecified “forensic evidence” at the Starbucks location. The NYPD‘s Crime Scene Unit is currently testing recovered items for DNA and fingerprints.
At UnitedHealthcare, investigators and security personnel are examining records to establish potential motives, including any previous threats or connections to dissatisfied or terminated employees, according to a law enforcement source. The organisation has confirmed its support of the investigation. Kenny stated that police are reviewing social media content and conducting interviews with employees, family members, and Thompson’s associates.
