Manhattan (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was fatally shot dead outside the Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan, where he was to speak at an investor conference.
The CEO of UnitedHealthcare Brian Thompson 50 years old, was gunned down outside a luxury Midtown hotel in a brazen, targeted attack by a chillingly methodical killer who employed a firearm with a silencer.
According to New York police commissioner Jessica, Thompson made his way to the hotel to follow his company’s annual investor conference, the masked gunman was lying in wait outside the Hilton Midtown momentarily before 7 a.m. on 4 Dec 2024, When Thompson reached the building, a dark-hooded figure with a grey backpack occurred several feet behind the CEO and shot him in the back. Thompson was declared dead less than half an hour after the happening, and the search for the gunman, who fled into Central Park, continues.
What evidence has been found in the investigation so far?
The reason behind the shooting remains murky, though police have represented it as a “premeditated, preplanned, targeted attack” at West 53rd Street and 6th Avenue in Midtown Manhattan. Investigators said that after the shooting, the attacker crossed the street from the Hilton, fled via an alleyway, and got on an electric bike on 55th Street before leading north on 6th Avenue toward Central Park, where he was last noticed at 6:48 a.m.
Authorities have been scouring the area but have not discovered the gunman’s bike or weapon. They have, however, discovered a phone and bottle of water that may have been fallen by the suspect when he fled through the gallery.
How is UnitedHealthcare responding to the loss of its CEO?
While police haven’t declared a motive in Thompson’s killing, sources revealed that UnitedHealthcare’s parent firm UnitedHealth Group – America’s largest insurance company – was conscious of concerning threats against its high-level CEO’s. In an interview with Thompson’s wife, she said that “there had been some threats” against her husband. “I don’t know, a lack of coverage? I don’t know the details,” she stated. “I just know that he said there were some people that had been threatening him.”
What is known about Brian Thompson’s background and career?
Brian Thompson Thompson, who resided in Minnesota, was designated chief executive of UnitedHealthcare in 2021 and has been at the firm since 2004. Before being designated chief executive of UnitedHealthcare, Thompson operated as CEO of the company’s government programs business, which includes its Medicare and retirement companies.
He was a graduate from the University of Iowa in 1997 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a major in accounting. He earned his degree as valedictorian. He was a Collegiate Scholar, Carver Scholar, State of Iowa Scholar and Faculty Scholar. Thompson graduated from South Hamilton High School in Jewell, Iowa, in 1993.
The company said: “We are deeply pained and dismayed at the passing of our dear friend and colleague Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare.” “Brian was a highly admired colleague and friend to all who operated with him. We are working closely with the New York Police Department and ask for your patience and compassion during this difficult time. Our hearts go out to Brian’s family and all who were close to him.”
