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 murder 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.
There's an intense manhunt for his killer.
Thompson shooting was "targeted attack", per police
"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.
"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," Mayor Eric Adams said.
Gov. Kathy Hochul called the shooting "horrific," and said she's 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.
Surveillance video captured shooting
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 street as the gunman appears to clear a jam from his gun, and fires again. The gunman then took aim and fired 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."
A manhunt is now underway for the gunman, who was 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 an electric Citi Bike up to Central Park, where he was last seen at 6:48 a.m. on Center Drive.
Detectives are poring through surveillance video as well as working with Lyft to search through GPS on Citi Bikes that were pulled from the area.
They're also testing forensics on a discarded phone that was found along the suspect's path
Law enforcement experts tell CBS News 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," CBS News law enforcement contributor Rich Esposito 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 Citi Bike dock on 55th Street, where he rode off toward Central Park. He was last seen on camera at 6:48 a.m. riding an electric Citi Bike on Center Drive in the park
- 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's 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 are 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.
"The shooter steps onto the sidewalk from behind a car, he ignores numerous other pedestrians, approaches the victim from behind and shoots him in the back," he continued. "The shooter then walks toward the victim and continues to shoot. It appears that the gun malfunctions, as he clears the jam, and begins to fire again."
CBS News New York's Marcia Kramer asked whether a silencer was used in the shooting, but the chief of detectives said police are still working to determine that and process other evidence, including a cellphone, from the scene. Investigators are also looking into local Citi Bike rentals, and the credit card information associated with them.
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.
"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.
UnitedHealthcare is based in Minnesota, where the governor and other leaders are reacting to news of the shooting.
"This is horrifying news and a terrible loss for the business and health care community in Minnesota," Gov. Tim 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."
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."
Shooting will not impact Rockefeller Center tree lighting
The hotel is located in a busy area, just blocks away from Rockefeller Center, where the annual tree lighting ceremony is being held Wednesday night.
NYPD officials say the tree lighting ceremony will continue as planned, but they ask people to be alert.
"Millions of people will be enjoying the tree lighting tonight, among other holiday events, and the NYPD will be out there with them keeping them safe," Tisch said.
"We will have a massive police presence out there around Rockefeller Center from 52nd Street all the way down to 47th Street," said NYPD Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey. "We're going to have additional police officers in the subway, as well, so people can take mass transit to make it easier to travel into the city and enjoy the tree. This is a terrible event, but we're going to go on, and people are going to enjoy the tree lighting tonight."
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.
Stick with CBS News New York for the latest updates on this developing story.
