The investigation into the tragic death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson is still ongoing, and there are some new leads emerging. Brian was shot and killed early Wednesday morning while walking from his hotel to an investor meeting in New York City. The gunman, who wore a mask, ambushed him right outside the hotel, in an area near popular tourist spots like Radio City Music Hall and Rockefeller Center.
While the motive for the attack is still unclear, police believe it was a targeted killing. Investigators are working hard to piece together the gunman’s movements before the shooting. They’ve been looking through security footage, trying to get DNA from things the gunman may have left behind, like a water bottle and a protein bar wrapper.
One interesting clue found at the crime scene was some ammunition with words like “deny,” “defend,” and “depose” written on it. These words seem to reference a phrase often used by critics of insurance companies: “delay, deny, defend,” which describes the tactics some insurers use to avoid paying claims. This has led investigators to think that the shooter might have had issues with the insurance industry, specifically with UnitedHealthcare, which has faced criticism for denying claims in the past.
The police also believe the shooter may have traveled to New York on a Greyhound bus from Atlanta last month. They’re working with Greyhound to try and track him down, and they’ve also recovered a cellphone that could help them identify him.
In addition, police are following a tip that the suspect might have stayed in a hostel on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. They’ve released photos from the hostel’s security cameras, showing a man who may be connected to the shooting. The man in the photos was seen wearing a mask and a jacket similar to the one worn by the shooter. Police believe he checked into the hostel using a fake ID from New Jersey.
After the shooting, the gunman fled on a bicycle and was last seen riding into Central Park. Police say the shooter seemed to know how to handle firearms and had used a silencer, which suggests he had some training. They are also looking into whether he planned his escape route, including hiding a bike in advance.
Surveillance footage of the attack shows the shooter approaching Brian from behind, firing several shots, and then fleeing the scene. The gunman wore a mask and a hooded jacket, making him blend in with the cold weather.
Brian Thompson, who had been with UnitedHealthcare for over 20 years, was a father of two sons. His wife, Paulette, mentioned that Brian had been receiving threats, possibly related to insurance coverage issues. UnitedHealthcare, which is one of the largest health insurers in the U.S., had been holding an annual investor meeting in New York when the tragedy occurred. The company canceled the rest of the conference after Brian’s death.
UnitedHealthcare provides coverage to millions of people, and in recent
