UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was “specifically targeted” when he was fatally shot in a “brazen attack” outside a New York City hotel, the NYPD said in a press briefing on Wednesday morning.
Thompson, 50, was set to speak at an investor meeting when he was gunned down around 6:46 a.m. outside the New York Hilton Midtown. He was rushed to Mount Sinai West where he was pronounced dead.
The killing was a “brazen, targeted attack,” Jessica Tisch, the newly-appointed New York City police commissioner said.
A manhunt is now underway for the suspect who was seen outside the hotel just minutes before he opened fire on Thompson. He then hopped on an e-bke and fled down 6th Avenue to Central Park.
Police are asking the public for help finding the suspect, who they described as a white male wearing a light brown or cream-colored jacket, a black ski mask, and carrying a gray backpack. It’s believed the suspect used a firearm with a silencer.
While the attack appeared to be targeted, police said they do not yet have a motive for the shooting. NYPD Crime Stoppers has announced a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible.
Thompson, who was also a father of two, joined parent company UnitedHealth Group in 2004, and became CEO of UnitedHealthcare in 2021. He was scheduled to speak at an investor meeting at the hotel at 8 a.m.
Elena Reveiz, Thompson’s sister-in-law, told The New York Times that she is still processing the news but said that her brother “was a good person, and I am so sad.”
KEY POINTS
- CEO shot dead in Midtown Manhattan
- Who was UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson?
- Shooting was a ‘targeted’ attack, police say
- What we know about the suspect
Slain CEO’s wife said he had been receiving threats
17:40
Andrea Cavallier
Paulette Thompson, the wife of slain CEO Brian Thompson, revealed to NBC News on Wednesday that he had been receiving threats before his killing.
“There had been some threats,” she said in a phone call with the outlet. “Basically, I don’t know, a lack of coverage? I don’t know details. I just know that he said there were some people that had been threatening him.”
“I can’t really give a thoughtful response right now. I just found this out and I’m trying to console my children,” she added.
Police say the killing was a targeted attack, but do not yet have a motive.
“The motive for this murder is currently unknown but based on the evidence we have so far, it does appear the victim was specifically targeted,” Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny told reporters. “But at this point, we do not know why.”
Suspect believed to have used a ‘silent gun’
17:35
Andrea Cavallier
A food cart vendor near the scene of the shooting on Wednesday told NBC News that he did not hear any gunshots.
It’s believed the suspect possibly used a firearm with a silencer in the shooting of Thompson.
UnitedHealth Group releases statement about shooting of CEO
17:30
Andrea Cavallier
UnitedHealth Group released a statement just before noon.
“We are deeply saddened and shocked at the passing of our dear friend and colleague Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare. Brian was a highly respected colleague and friend to all who worked with him. We are working closely with the New York Police Department and ask for your patience and understanding during this difficult time. Our hearts go out to Brian’s family and all who were close to him.”
CEO shot in the back outside of hotel
17:24
Andrea Cavallier
Brian Thompson was shot in the back multiple times outside of the hotel this morning, Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said at the presser.
Kenny said the suspect arrived at the scene about five minutes before the shooting and fired a shot at Thompson’s back.
“The shooter then walks toward the victim and continues to shoot,” he said. “It appears that the gun malfunctions as he clears the jam and begins to fire again.”
Christmas tree lighting ceremony will go on as planned
17:18
Andrea Cavallier
The Christmas tree lighting ceremony at Rockefeller Center will go on as planned, police said at the press conference.
Tourists and locals will flock to the popular event this evening at Rockefeller Center, which is about four blocks from where the shooting took place.
Watch Live: United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson was ‘specifically targeted,’ NYPD says
16:54
Andrea Cavallier
Shooting of CEO Brian Thompson was a ‘brazen targeted attack’
16:50
Andrea Cavallier
The press conference is now happening at 1 Police Plaza.
Newly appointed police commissioner Jessica Tisch called the killing a “brazen targeted attack.”
Hilton hotel staff ‘shaken’ by fatal shooting
16:36
Andrea Cavallier
Mark Sanders, the general manager of the Hilton hotel in Midtown Manhattan, wrote in an email that the hotel staff was shaken by the deadly shooting, according to The New York Times.
The hotel is where the crime took place this morning.
“We are deeply saddened by this morning’s events in the area and our thoughts are with all affected by the tragedy,” he said.
Police release surveillance photos of suspect in CEO shooting
16:32
Andrea Cavallier
Mayor Eric Adams responds to Midtown shooting
16:29
Andrea Cavallier
Mayor Eric Adams told reporters on Wednesday that the early morning killing of CEO Brian Thompson appeared to be targeted.
“We want to be clear to New Yorkers that this does not appear to be a random act of violence,” he said.
‘We are deeply saddened by this morning’s events’
16:05
Andrea Cavallier
A New York Hilton Midtown spokesperson commented on the shooting outside their hotel.
“We are deeply saddened by this morning’s events in the area and our thoughts are with all affected by the tragedy,” the spokesperson told CNN.
“Additional questions should be directed to the New York Police Department.”
What we know about the suspect as manhunt is underway
15:51
Andrea Cavallier
The suspected gunman reportedly waited for Thompson outside the Hilton hotel in Midtown Manhattan for 10 minutes before opening fire on him when he arrived.
He then fled through an alleyway, hopped on a bicycle and it’s believed he fled to Central Park.
The suspect was described by witnesses at the scene as a white male wearing a cream-colored jacket and a black ski mask.
Like Thompson, he also was not a guest at the hotel, but was seen loitering in the vicinity prior to opening fire on the victim.
The police said they would offer $10,000 to anyone with information regarding the shooting of Thompson, according to The New York Times.
Two surveillance photos – one of the gunman holding a firearm and the other of him on a bicycle – are set to be released.
Who was UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson?
15:46
Andrea Cavallier
Brian Thompson, who joined parent company UnitedHealth Group in 2004, and became CEO of UnitedHealthcare in 2021, was reportedly shot in the chest on Wednesday morning.
Thompson was scheduled to speak at an investor meeting at the Hilton at 8 a.m. when he was shot outside the hotel around 6:46a.m. in what police believe was a targeted attack.
Thompson was named chief executive officer for UnitedHealthcare in April 2021. UnitedHealthcare is part of UnitedHealth Group, ranked fifth in the Fortune 500, according to the company.
Before taking the CEO job, Thompson, a father of two who works out of UnitedHealthcare’s Minnetonka, Minnesota offices, worked as the company’s head of government programs.
Elena Reveiz, sister of CEO Brian Thompson, told The New York Times that she is still processing the news of her brother’s death.
“He was a good person and I am so sad,” Reveiz said.
Thompson was also a good father to his two children, she added.
Police to give update on shooting shortly
15:42
Andrea Cavallier
New York’s police commissioner, Jessica Tisch, and Jeffrey Maddrey, chief of department, will hold a news conference at 11:30 a.m. at 1 Police Plaza in Manhattan.
CEO’s sister: ‘He was a good person and I am so sad’
15:37
Andrea Cavallier
Elena Reveiz, sister of CEO Brian Thompson, told The New York Times that she is still processing the news of her brother’s death.
“He was a good person and I am so sad,” Reveiz said.
Thompson was a good father to his two children, she added.
Tim Walz responds to Midtown shooting
15:35
Andrea Cavallier
Gunman reportedly waited for CEO for 10 minutes before opening fire
15:25
Andrea Cavallier
The suspected gunman reportedly waited for the CEO outside the Hilton hotel in Midtown Manhattan for 10 minutes before opening fire on him when he arrived, a law enforcement official told CNN.
He wore a mask as he waited outside in the sub-freezing temperatures.
The gunman was reportedly about 20 feet from the CEO when he began shooting. He then fled through an alleyway, hopped on a bicycle and it’s believed he fled to Central Park.
CEO was scheduled to speak at the Hilton
15:15
Andrea Cavallier
Thompson was scheduled to speak at an investor meeting at the Hilton at 8 a.m. when he was reportedly shot outside the hotel around 6:46a.m. in what police believe was a targeted attack.
A caterer for the event told 1010 WINS that she suspected something was amiss when no one showed up for the opening session.
The investor conference was subsequently canceled, with a company official telling attendees they were “dealing with a very serious medical situation with one of our team members.”
Shooting was a ‘targeted’ attack, police sources say
14:55
Andrea Cavallier
Brian Thompson, who joined parent company UnitedHealth Group in 2004, and became CEO of UnitedHealthcare in 2021, was reportedly shot in the chest on Wednesday morning.
He was rushed to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Read more:
CEO shot dead in Midtown Manhattan
14:48
Andrea Cavallier
UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot dead on Wednesday morning outside the Hilton hotel in Midtown Manhattan, the NYPD confirmed to The Independent.
Now, a manhunt is underway for the shooter. Follow along with The Independent for updates.