Brian Thompson, CEO of UnitedHealthcare, was shot and killed outside the Hilton Midtown in Manhattan early Wednesday morning in what authorities are calling a targeted attack. The shooting occurred just before Thompson was scheduled to attend UnitedHealthcare’s annual investor conference, CNN, CNBC, and Reuters report.
Details of the attack
According to CNN, Thompson, 50, was walking toward the Hilton hotel on Sixth Avenue when a masked gunman opened fire from approximately 20 feet away. The attacker, dressed in dark clothing, had reportedly been waiting for about 10 minutes before Thompson’s arrival. The weapon used in the shooting was equipped with a silencer, CNN cites law enforcement officials as saying.
The suspect fled the scene on a bicycle, cutting through an alley and heading into Central Park. CNBC, citing a source familiar with the matter, described the gunman as a white male wearing a black hoodie, black pants, black sneakers with white trim, and carrying a gray backpack. The NYPD confirmed no arrests have been made as of yet and that the investigation is ongoing.
Immediate response
Emergency responders rushed Thompson to Mount Sinai West Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to CNN and CNBC. UnitedHealth Group quickly canceled the investor conference, with CEO Andrew Witty citing a “serious medical situation” involving a team member, per a transcript of Witty’s remarks provided by CNBC.
UnitedHealth Group released a statement reported by Reuters, calling Thompson “a highly respected colleague and friend” and expressing condolences to his family. “We are working closely with the NYPD and ask for your patience during this difficult time.”
Threats and a planned attack
Paulette Thompson, Brian Thompson’s wife, said that her husband had recently received threats, according to NBC News. “This was a planned attack,” she said, adding that she was focused on consoling their two children. Despite the threats, she said Thompson had not altered his travel or daily habits.
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch stated at a press conference, as reported by Reuters, that the attack “does not appear to be a random act of violence.” Authorities believe the gunman deliberately targeted Thompson.
Community shocked by the killing
Thompson’s death has drawn widespread condemnation and tributes. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, where UnitedHealth Group is headquartered, called the killing “horrifying news and a terrible loss for the business and healthcare community in Minnesota,” as cited by CNN and Reuters. Senator Amy Klobuchar and Congressman Dean Phillips also expressed their condolences.
Antonio Ciaccia, CEO of healthcare nonprofit 46brooklyn, said Thompson was “genuinely thoughtful and respectable,” according to Reuters. He added, “Sometimes you meet fake people in corporate environments. He wasn’t one of them.”
Career and legacy
Thompson had worked at UnitedHealth Group for over two decades, joining in 2004 after a career at PwC, according to CNBC. He became CEO of UnitedHealthcare in 2021, overseeing the largest private health insurer in the U.S., which generated $281 billion in revenue last year, CNBC reports. The company remains a vital part of the U.S. healthcare system, insuring tens of millions of Americans.
Ongoing investigation
The NYPD is still searching for the suspect and has released surveillance images of a man riding a bicycle and carrying a gray backpack. CNN reported that police are offering a reward for information leading to an arrest. Investigators are also exploring connections between the threats Thompson received and the company’s recent challenges, including a ransomware attack on a subsidiary earlier this year, as noted by CNBC.
Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact the NYPD as the investigation continues.