NEW YORK, USA – Investigators hunting for the masked gunman who killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in a targeted shooting outside a Manhattan hotel have uncovered new leads, including cryptic messages written on the ammunition used in the attack and evidence of the suspect’s travel to New York before the crime.
Key Developments
- Ammunition Messages: The words “deny,” “defend,” and “depose” were scrawled in permanent marker on the 9mm ammunition found at the scene. These phrases echo criticisms of the insurance industry, often accused of denying claims and delaying payments.
- Suspect’s Travel: Investigators believe the gunman may have travelled to New York from Atlanta on a Greyhound bus in late November. Police are working with the bus company to confirm his identity.
- Hostel Stay: Police released surveillance images of a man wanted for questioning, taken in the lobby of a Manhattan hostel. Hostel employees recalled the individual frequently wearing a mask and using what appeared to be a fake New Jersey ID to check in.
Timeline of Events
Thompson, 50, was ambushed early Wednesday morning while walking from his Midtown hotel to the UnitedHealthcare investor conference at a nearby Hilton.
Security footage shows the gunman approaching from behind, firing multiple shots, and fleeing the scene on a bicycle.
The shooting, which police say was premeditated, left Thompson with fatal wounds to his back and leg. He was pronounced dead at Mount Sinai West.
This image provided by the New York City Police Department shows a man wanted for questioning in connection to the investigation of the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside a Manhattan hotel, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. | New York City Police Department via AP
This image provided by the New York City Police Department shows a man wanted for questioning in connection to the investigation of the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside a Manhattan hotel, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. | New York City Police Department via AP
Evidence at the Scene
Along with the marked ammunition, investigators recovered a cellphone, a water bottle, and a protein bar wrapper in a nearby trash can.
Surveillance footage from a Starbucks showed the suspect purchasing the items minutes before the attack.
The shooter fled into Central Park on a bicycle, which investigators suspect may have been pre-positioned as part of the escape plan.
Motive Remains Unclear
While the motive for the killing remains under investigation, Thompson’s wife, Paulette, revealed that her husband had received threats, possibly related to insurance coverage disputes.
UnitedHealthcare, the largest U.S. health insurer, has faced criticism for claim denials and restrictions on access to care.
The company, along with others in the industry, was recently named in a Senate report highlighting increasing denial rates for Medicare Advantage patients.
Public Reaction and Investigation
New York City police have received numerous tips, but no arrests have been made.
The NYPD continues to investigate whether the suspect had firearms training, noting the precision of the attack and the use of a silencer-equipped weapon.
“This little piece of information could be the missing piece of the puzzle that ties everything together,” said Assistant Commissioner Carlos Nieves.
Thompson’s death has sent shockwaves through the healthcare industry.
UnitedHealth Group, UnitedHealthcare’s parent company, abruptly ended its investor conference following the shooting, issuing a statement expressing shock and grief over the loss of its CEO.
About Brian Thompson
A father of two from a Minneapolis suburb, Thompson had been with UnitedHealthcare since 2004 and served as CEO since 2021.
Under his leadership, the company provided coverage for more than 49 million Americans and reported $281 billion in revenue last year.
The investigation into Thompson’s killing continues, with authorities urging anyone with information to come forward.
