In New York City, investigators are piecing together clues in the shocking killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, who was ambushed and shot early Wednesday morning. The attack happened as Thompson walked from his hotel in Midtown Manhattan to the Hilton, where his company’s big annual investor meeting was taking place. Police say this was no random act—it was a targeted attack.
One of the most chilling details? The ammunition left behind at the crime scene had the words “deny,” “defend,” and “depose” written on it in permanent marker. These words echo a phrase critics of the insurance industry often use: “delay, deny, defend,” a description of how some believe insurers avoid paying claims. Thompson, as the leader of one of the country’s largest health insurers, had been in the spotlight for issues like these before.
Investigators are now tracking the shooter’s movements before the attack. They believe the suspect may have traveled to New York from Atlanta by bus in late November. Police are working with Greyhound to identify anyone who fits the timeline and details of the journey.
Surveillance footage from a Manhattan hostel has given investigators more to work with. The police released photos of a man seen smiling in the lobby of the HI New York City Hostel on the Upper West Side. Employees remembered him because he almost always wore a mask. They also say he checked in using a fake New Jersey ID. The jacket he wore in the hostel looks like the one seen in surveillance footage from just before the shooting.
Police believe the shooter fled on a bicycle, which he might have stashed nearby to escape quickly. After the shooting, cameras tracked him heading toward Central Park. Investigators think the suspect has firearms training because he handled the weapon smoothly, even clearing a jam during the attack.
Thompson’s death has stunned those who knew him. A father of two from a Minneapolis suburb, he had been with UnitedHealthcare since 2004 and became CEO three years ago. His wife, Paulette, revealed that Thompson had recently mentioned receiving threats, possibly tied to issues with insurance coverage.
The company’s investor conference was cut short after the tragedy. UnitedHealthcare, based in Minnetonka, Minnesota, serves over 49 million people and brought in $281 billion last year. It’s the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans in the U.S. and plays a big role in managing Medicaid programs. Recently, the company and others like it have faced criticism for denying claims and delaying approvals, especially for Medicare patients.
Police have been flooded with tips from the public. One person thought they spotted the suspect on a Long Island Rail Road train, but that lead didn’t pan out. Assistant Commissioner Carlos Nieves says investigators are chasing every clue, knowing that even a small detail could crack the case.
As of now, the motive for this brazen attack remains unclear. Was it tied to the criticism UnitedHealthcare has faced, or was it something personal? Investigators are working tirelessly to find answers, combing through evidence like DNA from items the gunman left behind—a water bottle and protein bar wrapper found near the scene.
For now, the city remains on edge as police search for a masked gunman who seemed to plan his escape with precision. Thompson’s killing is a stark reminder of how complex and unpredictable life can be, even for someone at the top of their game.
