New York — The search for a murderer in New York is still looking for the person who shot and killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on Wednesday morning in what authorities said appeared to be a targeted attack.
Thompson50, was shot once in the back around 6:45 a.m. outside the Hilton Midtown hotel on Sixth Avenue near West 54th Street in New York City, officials said at a news conference Wednesday. Thompson was not a guest at the Hilton but was staying at a nearby hotel and was walking to the Hilton for a corporate event when he was attacked.
The shooting occurred ahead of an investor meeting that UnitedHealth Group, the parent company of UnitedHealthcare, was scheduled to hold Wednesday at the Hilton, according to a company spokeswoman.
What we know about the suspect in the CEO shooting
The person has not been identified. He is a light-skinned man and was wearing a gray bag, which NYPD Chief of Detective Joseph Kenny described as “unique.” Kenny said the gunman was also wearing a brown or cream jacket, a black face mask and black-and-white sneakers.
The NYPD released this surveillance footage of the suspect in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside a hotel in Midtown Manhattan. / Credit: NYPD
The suspect appeared to have been waiting for Thompson for several minutes, just after he was sworn in as Police Commissioner. Jessica Tisch he said at a press conference on Wednesday.
“Based on the evidence we have so far it looks like the victim was targeted, but we don’t know the motive,” Kenny said.
Thompson was staying at a hotel across the street, Kenny said. He left his hotel shortly after 6:40 to head to the Hilton. Kenny said police are speaking with Thompson’s staff to understand why he went to the hotel so quickly, but said the CEO was in charge of the meeting and may be on his way to help stop it.
The suspect approached Thompson from behind at 6:44 am, and shot him once in the back and once in the right calf. Kenny said the suspect appeared to be skilled with a firearm, noting that the suspect appeared to be quick to clear a jam in his weapon.
The suspect began fleeing on foot before getting on an electric CitiBike, Tisch said. He was last seen in Central Park. Police are trying to track him down through video canvass, Kenny said. CitiBikes has GPS tracking, Kenny said, and the NYPD will work with the company for that information.
What evidence did the police find?
Three live 9 millimeter rounds and three spent 9 millimeter shell casings were recovered from the site, Kenny said. The police also found a mobile phone on the road used by the suspect to flee the scene. Police are examining the machine to determine if it belongs to the suspect, Kenny said.
UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was killed in a shooting Wednesday morning outside a hotel in Midtown, Manhattan, the NYPD says. / Credit: CBS News New York
Police are still going by surveillance footage and said they have video, but no audio, of the shooting.
Investigators and security at UnitedHealthcare are combing through files looking for probable cause, looking for potential threats, and those who are dissatisfied or recently fired, the attorney said. Police are also checking social media and interviewing employees, family members and others who knew Thompson, Kenny said.
The ongoing search will not affect holiday activities
NYPD Chief Jeffrey Maddrey said that the police will use all the resources at their disposal, including drones and K-9 units, to find the suspect. Manhattanites can expect to see a heavier than usual police presence in the area, especially during Wednesday night’s Christmas Tree Lighting at Rockefeller Center, Maddrey said.
“When an event like this happens, we don’t leave money,” Maddrey said.
Pat Milton and John Doyle contributed to this article.
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