UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson shot and killed in NYC. Police say it was a targeted attack.
NEW YORK -- UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot and killed in what appears to be a targeted attack Wednesday morning outside a Hilton hotel in Midtown Manhattan, according to the New York City Police Department.
Police said the 50-year-old CEO was shot once in the back and once in the leg. He was rushed to Mount Sinai West hospital, but did not survive his injuries.
Now, it's all hands on deck as the NYPD hunts for his killer. Investigators are scouring surveillance cameras to trace the suspect, and combing through Thompson's phone and social media to see if he received any personal threats.
CEO shooting was a "targeted attack," police say
"I want to be clear, at this time, every indication is that this was a premeditated, preplanned, targeted attack," NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said at a news conference Wednesday.
"The motive for this murder currently is unknown, but, based on the evidence we have so far, it does appear that the victim was specifically targeted. But at this point, we do not know why," NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny added.
A spokesperson for UnitedHealthcare told CBS News the shooting took place during the company's investors conference. It was scheduled to be livestreamed from a hotel ballroom starting at 8 a.m., but it was canceled after the shooting.
"This does not appear to be a random act of violence," said Mayor Eric Adams.
Gov. Kathy Hochul called the shooting "horrific" and directed New York State Police to assist the NYPD with the investigation.
"Our hearts are with the family and loved ones of Mr. Thompson and we are committed to ensuring the perpetrator is brought to justice," Hochul said in a statement.
Surveillance videos captured shooting and gunman's escape
Surveillance video obtained by CBS News New York shows Thompson walking down the street when the suspect appears behind him, takes aim, and shoots him once in the back. Thompson falls to the ground, as the gunman appears to clear a jam from his gun and fires again. The gunman then fires a third time before running across the street.
"It appears the suspect was lying in wait for several minutes and, as the victim was walking to the conference hotel, the suspect approached from behind," Tisch said. "Many people passed the suspect, but he appeared to wait for his intended target."
The gunman was last seen wearing a black face mask, brown or cream jacket, black and white sneakers and gray backpack. Police said the suspect fled into the alley between West 54th and West 55th streets, then rode a bike up to Central Park, where he was seen at 6:48 a.m. on Center Drive.
CBS News obtained additional surveillance footage that sources say appears to show the suspect cycling out of the park on West 85th Street just before 7 a.m., about 15 minutes after the shooting.
"What we're looking at is a gunman who was thoughtful and prepared, staked out the scene, began by shooting the person in the back," said CBS News law enforcement contributor Rich Esposito, a former NYPD deputy commissioner.
Esposito said the gunman may have planned carefully, but not perfectly.
"It's not perfect preparation in that there is evidence left in the form of shell casings. There's evidence left from prior to the shooting," Esposito said.
Police said the suspect went to a nearby Starbucks minutes before the shooting. Sources told CBS News surveillance images there may have captured enough of the suspect's face to run it through facial recognition programs.
Police sources also said investigators are running forensic tests on a water bottle and candy bar wrapper they believe he left there, as well as on a discarded cellphone found near the scene.
Esposito said detectives will also likely search for discarded clothing along the path.
"One of the first things someone who is remotely sophisticated does is change their clothing, change their hat, probably not their sneakers. That helps them flee," he said.
Timeline of shooting, map of escape
The wait, murder and getaway happened in a span of just nine minutes.
- At 6:39 a.m., police say the gunman arrived at the Hilton on foot
- At 6:44 a.m., Thompson walks from his hotel across the street to the Hilton to address investors
- By 6:46 a.m., police say the gunman had shot Thompson twice from behind and run toward a bike docked on 55th Street, which he rode off toward Central Park. He was seen on camera at 6:48 a.m. riding a bike on Center Drive in the park.
- The gunman is seen on video cycling out of the park on West 85th Street just before 7 a.m.
- Thompson was pronounced dead at Mount Sinai West Hospital at 7:12 a.m.
One witness said he was sitting inside his car when he heard a gunshot and saw a man running away with a gun in his hand.
"I was looking at my phone and I hear the shot," he said. "I was shocked. It was the first time I've ever seen a crime right in front of me. Now I fear he could shoot me, too."
How the shooting unfolded outside the Hilton Midtown
The deadly shooting happened shortly after 6:45 a.m. outside the Hilton Midtown hotel on Sixth Avenue near West 54th Street. More than a dozen officers responded and blocked off West 54th Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues for the morning commute.
"We are deeply saddened by this morning's events in the area and our thoughts are with all affected by the tragedy," a spokesperson for the hotel said in a statement.
Investigators began gathering surveillance video from surrounding buildings and interviewing anyone who may have seen what happened.
"What we know is that the shooter arrived at the location on foot about five minutes prior to the victim's arrival. He stands alongside the building line, as numerous other people and pedestrians pass him by," Kenny said.
Sources told CBS News the weapon used had a silencer on it. Three bullet casings were recovered at the scene, along with three live rounds ejected from the gun when the shooter cleared the jam.
Who shot UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson?
UnitedHealthcare security and investigators are combing through files for any possible previous threats, disgruntled or recently fired employees, a law enforcement source told CBS News.
Police sources told CBS News detectives uncovered "rantings" against big pharma directed at UnitedHealthcare, but no specific threats to Thompson's personal safety.
"We're looking at everything, we're looking at his social media, we are interviewing employees, we are interviewing family members, we will be speaking to local law enforcement in Minnesota," said Kenny.
"They're gonna look at the business end. You have a company that has laid people off. They're gonna look at the personal stories and they're gonna focus on letters, desperate people who were denied care or tests or something that could have saved a life who will blame the company," Former NYPD Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence and Counterterrorism John Miller said.
Security experts say not all high-level executives want to bother with a circle of protection.
"They think it's a violation of their privacy. They think it's a little pretentious. It draws attention to them. They think: who would want to hurt them?" said Ed Davis, of LLC Security and Management Consulting.
UnitedHealthcare is based in Minnesota, where the Gov. Tim Walz and other leaders reacted to news of the shooting.
"This is horrifying news and a terrible loss for the business and health care community in Minnesota," Walz posted on social media. "Minnesota is sending our prayers to Brian's family and the UnitedHealthcare team."
Thompson had been with UnitedHealthcare since 2004 and was named CEO in 2021, according to its website. He was a father of two and an active member of his community.
"We are deeply saddened and shocked at the passing of our dear friend and colleague Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare. Brian was a highly respected colleague and friend to all who worked with him," UnitedHealth Group said in a statement. "We are working closely with the New York Police Department and ask for your patience and understanding during this difficult time. Our hearts go out to Brian's family and all who were close to him."
Thompson family speaks out
Thompson's family released this statement on the killing:
"We are shattered to hear about the senseless killing of our beloved Brian. Brian was an incredibly loving, generous, talented man who truly lived life to the fullest and touched so many lives. Most importantly, Brian was an incredibly loving father to our two sons and will be greatly missed. We appreciate your well wishes and request complete privacy as our family moves through this difficult time."
Thompson's death sent shockwaves through the health industry. Stephen Parente was a senior White House economist during the COVID-19 pandemic and worked with Thompson to keep hospitals open.
"I remember seeing the news at first and I was just shocked and when I scrolled to see it was him, I just couldn't believe it. I'm still processing," Parente said. "He helped so many people. There are families that know him, who spoke of about him wonderfully, but the impact he had was in the millions."
A $10,000 reward has been offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the case. The NYPD asks the public to call the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), or 1-888-57-PISTA (74782) for Spanish. You can also submit a tip via their website. All calls are kept confidential.