Police hunt for killer and motive as industry tries to come to terms with what happened
The financial services industry is reeling following the fatal shooting of Brian Thompson, CEO of UnitedHealthcare, as he headed to an event in New York City on Wednesday.
The 50-year old executive was apparently heading to UnitedHealth Group’s investor day in the Hilton Hotel in midtown Manhattan when he was shot in what New York Police Department is calling a “brazen, targeted attack” that was premeditated.
Security footage appears to show the gunman waiting near the location for around five minutes before the arrival of Thompson at the hotel and discharged several shots from a firearm with a silencer before fleeing on an e-scooter. Police launched a manhunt and are offering a $10,000 reward and it’s reported that a cellphone and bullets were recovered from the scene with the ammunition possibly etched with messages for investigators.
UnitedHealth Group, parent of the healthcare division that is the largest private health insurer in the US, issued a simple statement:
“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.”
The investor day was called off as news of the shooting broke with the group CEO Andrew Witty referring to a “serious medical incident” of one of the team, according to a transcript of the event.
Search for a motive
While the hunt for the perpetrator continues, so does a search for a motive.
“We’re looking into everything,” said Joseph Kenny, NYPD’s chief of detectives. “We’re looking at his social media, we’re interviewing employees, we’re interviewing family members, we will be speaking to law enforcement in Minnesota.”
The father of two’s wife Paulette said that Thompson had received threats related to potential insurance denials. “I don’t know details,” she said in a phone call with NBC. “I just know that he said there were some people that had been threatening him."
NYPD said it is not clear if the motive for the shooting was related to Thompson’s personal or professional life. Police in Minneapolis, where he lived, told NBC they had not received any reports of threats made.
