In a wild story this morning, the CEO of United Healthcare (UHC) was shot fatally just north of Times Square at 6th Avenue and W. 54th Street. Brian Thompson, 50, was attending a conference at the Hilton Midtown.
His killer was positioned such that when Thompson exited the building, he was able to fire several times at close range with what appears to be a handgun with a suppressor. Thompson was hit in the chest. He was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Mayor Eric Adams has confirmed that the killing does not appear to be random. “It seemed to have been clearly targeted by an individual, and we will apprehend that individual,” he said this morning, as reported by the New York Post.
I have a feeling it's someone who was denied coverage from UnitedHealth and went out and targeted the dude. I can imagine a family member who has cancer, denied coverage for a treatment and then another family member snaps and goes after the head of the insurance company
— Zarp (@TheRealZarp) December 4, 2024
Speculation about the killer is rampant on social media. Theories abound, but several commenters have suggested that UHC might have denied coverage for treatment that resulted in the death of one beloved by the killer (or someone who hired him).
Others have speculated that the murder was done by a disgruntled employee, or that it was tied to a romantic dalliance, or perhaps financial issues faced by the firm.
Brian Thompson and United Healthcare were being investigated by the DOJ for violating anti trust laws and were also being sued for not disclosing the investigation to investors before the media reported on it causing investors to lose millions of dollars.
— Shipwreck (@shipwreckshow) December 4, 2024
Not only did they not… pic.twitter.com/8xEgUu2Vx7
It's difficult to say whether it was a professional hit, or an individual who planned the attack very carefully. In the view of The Manhattan, it was not a professional hit. A sniper shot from a nearby building would have been much safer for the shooter, for one. Next, the escape on a bicycle left the shooter's escape route in plain view of hundreds of closed circuit cameras.
However, the escape on foot using Ziegfeld Alley, a breezeway connecting W. 54th to W. 55th, was a smart move to get away from the scene of the crime before mounting the bicycle. The shooter is suspected of escaping to Central Park, which would provide the cover necessary to change clothes.
JUST IN: The apparent ass*ssin who m*rdered UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Manhattan used a silencer according to CBS New York.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) December 4, 2024
NYPD has released photos of the suspect and is now offering a $10,000 reward.
Police were seen performing CPR on Thompson after the suspect… pic.twitter.com/TzZQBp5cY0
According to the Post, the "suspect was described as a white male wearing a cream-colored jacket, black face mask, and black and white sneakers. Officials said he was carrying a gray backpack."
Thompson, who made nearly $10 million in 2022, is survived by two children. He lived in Minnetonka, Minnesota, where UHC is based.
This is a developing story, check back for more information.
