The CEO of UnitedHealthcare, Brian Thompson, was shot and killed in a brazen and targeted attack in midtown Manhattan on Wednesday morning. The shooting occurred as Thompson was about to attend the company’s annual investor conference at the New York Hilton Hotel.
The New York City Police Department (NYPD) commissioner, Jessica Tisch, described the shooting as a “brazen, targeted attack” and noted that the gunman was “lying in wait” for several minutes before opening fire on Thompson from about 20 feet away. The suspect, still at large, was seen fleeing the scene on a bicycle after the shooting.
Thompson was hit by multiple shots but was pronounced dead at the scene. The motive behind the shooting is still unclear, but investigators believe it was a targeted attack.
The NYPD has launched a massive investigation and is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator.
Thompson was a highly respected figure in the healthcare industry, having been named CEO of UnitedHealthcare in April 2021. His death has sent shockwaves through the company and the wider healthcare community, with tributes pouring in from colleagues, politicians, and community leaders.
UnitedHealthcare’s parent company, UnitedHealth Group, abruptly ended its scheduled conference on Wednesday morning, citing the “very serious medical situation” involving one of its team members. The company’s statement described Thompson as a “respected colleague and friend” and extended its condolences to his family and loved ones.
The shooting comes as a jarring reminder of the growing threat of violent crime in major cities across the United States. The NYPD is expected to provide a briefing on the incident at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday.
