Brian Thompson, the head of one of the largest American health insurance companies UnitedHealthcare, was shot dead in downtown Manhattan on the morning of Wednesday, December 4.
Bloomberg reports this.
The Murder of Brian Thompson
50-year-old Brian Thompson was shot in the back at about 6:45 a.m. near the Hilton Midtown hotel in New York.
Now watching
It is preliminary known that the alleged attacker was waiting for Thompson when he arrived at the hotel for an investor conference. An unknown person approached Brian Thompson from behind and shot several times. After the murder, the shooter ran into an alley, and then got on an electric Citi Bike and rode towards Central Park. Police found a mobile phone in the alley.
The NYPD tried to track the bike using GPS technology from the Citi Bike. Drones and dog handlers were also brought in to help find the perpetrator.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams said it was a murder planned by an individual.
What the police are saying about the murder of Brian Thompson
Police found three 9mm shell casings at the crime scene. The attacker's motive is still unknown.
Law enforcement is busy studying Thompson's social networks, searching his hotel room, questioning employees, family members, and more.
Police also released surveillance photos of the likely killer.
The NYPD said many people passed by the suspect, who waited outside for several minutes, apparently waiting for Thompson to arrive. Once Thompson showed up, the suspect approached him from behind and shot him multiple times in the back and leg.
In a phone call with NBC News, Brian Thompson's wife, Paulette, said her husband had received threats: I don't know the details. All I know is that he said there were people who threatened him.
New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch has asked the public for help, offering $10,000 for any information.
Thompson Did Not Have Personal Security
UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson did not have personal security. None of the executives at UnitedHealthcare have any benefits related to personal security or protection. This contrasts with companies like Meta Platforms Inc. and Alphabet Inc., which spend millions of dollars a year protecting their executives.
