By Inflame 
New York City police are intensifying their search for the masked gunman who fatally shot Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, in what officials are calling a “premeditated, targeted attack” outside the New York Hilton hotel on Wednesday morning.
The Attack
Thompson, 50, was en route to the UnitedHealth Group’s annual investor conference when he was ambushed on a Midtown Manhattan sidewalk. The assailant approached from behind and fired multiple shots, striking Thompson in the back and calf.
Security footage captured the chilling scene: Thompson, dressed in a blue suit, stumbles forward after being shot while a witness flees for safety. The gunman briefly pauses to clear a jammed weapon before firing again as Thompson collapses.
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch stated the shooter had been “lying in wait” for several minutes outside the hotel. “Many people passed the suspect, but he appeared to wait for his intended target,” she said.
Who Is the Suspect?
The NYPD has released surveillance images of the suspect, who was last seen riding a rental bike into Central Park after fleeing the scene.
- Appearance: He wore a black hoodie, black pants, and carried a gray backpack.
- Behavior: Security footage shows him calmly waiting near the Hilton before the attack and deliberately targeting Thompson while ignoring other passersby.
- Evidence: Police recovered a cellphone and a water bottle near the scene. The fingerprint on the bottle was too smudged to provide leads, but the phone could yield further insights.
Clues and Planning
The shooting has been described as highly calculated:
- Shell Casings: Three discharged and three live 9mm rounds were found at the scene. The discharged casings bore the words “deny,” “defend,” and “depose” — possibly referencing insurance industry critiques.
- Arrival in NYC: Detectives believe the suspect traveled from Atlanta to New York by bus on November 24, checked into a hostel with fake ID, and paid in cash to avoid detection.
The Victim and Threats
Brian Thompson, a Minnesota resident and UnitedHealth veteran since 2004, became CEO of UnitedHealthcare in 2021. Known for overseeing the nation’s largest health insurer, he had received threats related to his work, according to his wife, Paulette.
“There had been some threats… but I don’t know the details,” she told NBC News, adding that police informed her it appeared to be a planned attack.
What Comes Next?
The NYPD, leveraging its advanced surveillance system and facial recognition software, is actively pursuing leads. They believe the gunman’s deliberate actions and use of a firearm with a silencer suggest expertise.
Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny reiterated that the shooting was intentional but the motive remains unclear. “Based on the evidence we have so far, it appears the victim was specifically targeted. But at this point, we do not know why,” he said.
Public Help and Reward
Crime Stoppers is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the suspect’s arrest and conviction. Anyone with relevant details is urged to contact the authorities as the investigation into this high-profile murder continues.
With New York’s extensive surveillance network and forensic analysis, officials remain hopeful about bringing the perpetrator to justice.