After fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, here's what we know
UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot and killed Wednesday morning outside of a hotel in New York City, police said. A manhunt is underway to find the gunman, who fled the scene on a bike into Central Park.
Here is what we know so far.
Shooting appeared to be targeted attack
Thompson, 50, suffered gunshot wounds to the back and to the leg at around 6:45 a.m. ET, while outside of the Hilton Midtown hotel in a busy section of Manhattan. Police said they believe this was not a random attack, and that Thompson was targeted. Authorities are searching for a motive.
"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 have video of the shooting in which the gunman appeared to wait for Thompson for several minutes prior to firing, New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said at a briefing. The gunman arrived at the shooting location on foot about five minutes before Thompson arrived.
The suspect approached Thompson from behind and fired the gun at least twice, striking him in the back and the right calf, according to the police commissioner. The shooter used a silencer, which is a device that acts like a muzzle to reduce the sound of a gunshot. Video shows the suspect fire the gun initially and step toward Thompson, said NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny. The gun appeared to malfunction, but the shooter cleared the jam fairly quickly before firing again. The CEO was not robbed.
"I want to be clear. At this time, every indication is that this was a premeditated, preplanned, targeted attack," Tisch said.
The commissioner said the gunman ignored multiple passersby while seemingly lying in wait for Thompson. Another person is also seen in security footage standing against the side of the building between the gunman and Thompson, but just outside of the line of fire. The gunman does not appear to move from his position facing Thompson as the person, apparently realizing there has been a shooting, looks up from their phone and hurries away.
Police did not respond directly when asked whether Thompson had known enemies prior to his death or been blamed for a health insurance recipient's lack of coverage under UnitedHealthcare — since the latter issue led to protests in Minnesota, where the company is headquartered and where Thompson lived, over the summer. They said investigators were "looking at everything," including the executive's social media, and interviewing his colleagues and family members to work out what circumstances may have led to the incident. NYPD is also connecting with law enforcement in Minnesota.
The shooting happened ahead of an investors conference that UnitedHealth Group, the parent company of UnitedHealthcare, was scheduled to host Wednesday morning at the Hilton, according to a spokesperson for the subsidiary. Thompson had worked for UnitedHealthcare since 2004 and served as its CEO since 2021.
Thompson was not a guest at the Hilton hotel, Tisch said. He had been staying at the Marriott across the street and was headed to the Hilton on Wednesday morning for the conference, which was set to begin at 8 a.m. Kenny said police had reached out to Thompson's colleagues for guidance as to why he was going early to the meeting, but suggested the CEO may have intended to help set up for the event, which UnitedHealthcare canceled after the shooting.
A senior NYPD official told CBS News the fact that the gunman got to the shooting location only minutes before Thompson indicates he knew where the CEO was staying, and when he would arrive at the conference.
Surveillance images released by the NYPD showed the suspect minutes before the shooting at a Starbucks two blocks from the shooting. Police told CBS News they found unspecified "forensic evidence" at the Starbucks and that items recovered there are being tested for possible DNA and fingerprints by the NYPD's Crime Scene Unit.
New York City Police Department Officers who responded to the 911 call reporting the shooting found Thompson unconscious and unresponsive when they arrived, the New York City Police Department said. Emergency medical services personnel transported him to Mount Sinai West, which is close by, but Thompson succumbed to his injuries. He was pronounced dead at the hospital, according to NYPD.
At the scene, police recovered three live rounds and three discharged shell casings.
Suspect fled into Central Park
After the shooting, the suspect rode away on a bike into Central Park, authorities said at the briefing Wednesday. Police told CBS News a video canvass showed the suspect exiting the west side of the park somewhere between 70th and 80th streets. Police are examining surveillance video of what appears to be the suspect at 6:59 a.m. riding a bike on West 85th Street.
A cellphone police said had "investigative value" was recovered in the alleyway at the scene of the shooting, and authorities are processing it forensically to see if it is connected to the shooter.
Authorities initially said the suspect used an electric Citi Bike to get away, but Lyft, which owns and operates Citi Bike, later said the NYPD informed the company a Citi Bike hadn't been used. A spokesperson for Lyft previously said the company was "ready to assist" with the investigation.
Police have not identified suspect
The suspect remained at large as of midday Wednesday. Police sources described him as a white male, wearing a tan-colored jacket, a black face mask and black-and-white sneakers. He also carried a grey backpack.
Police sources said several hours after the shooting took place that officers were continuing to parse surveillance images and canvass the area for additional video in efforts to track down the gunman. Investigators and security at UnitedHealthcare were also reviewing files for any previous threats, or records of disgruntled or recently fired workers, as they tried to piece together a possible motive, a law enforcement source said.
"We will not rest until we arrest and apprehend the shooter in this case," Tisch said.
A witness said he was inside of his car when he heard the gunshot, CBS News New York reported. The witness recalled seeing a man running away with a gun in his hand, according to the station.
"I was looking at my phone and I hear the shot," the witness told CBS News New York "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."
Anyone with information about the shooting has been asked to contact the NYPD through its Crime Stoppers hotline. They can also report tips anonymously online. The police department is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the suspect's arrest and conviction.
Thompson's long history at UnitedHealth Group
Thompson was named CEO of UnitedHealthcare, the insurance branch of UnitedHealth Group, in April 2021. But he was a veteran employee of the company who held a number of leadership positions over his multi-decade tenure. Before taking on this latest executive role, he served as CEO of the company's government programs, like Medicare and retirement initiatives, in addition to community and state programs that provide Medicaid and other health coverage to millions.
When he was appointed to lead UnitedHealthcare in 2021, the company said in its announcement that Thompson would be responsible for driving "continued growth across the global, employer, individual, specialty and government benefits businesses while continuing the company's focus on ensuring access to high-quality, affordable health care."
UnitedHealth Group said the company was "deeply saddened and shocked" by Thompson's death in a statement Wednesday.
"Brian was a highly respected colleague and friend to all who worked with him," the statement said. "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's total compensation was $10.2 million in 2023, according to UnitedHealth Group's 2024 proxy statement. His earnings topped $9.8 million in 2022 and $9.6 million in 2021, according to the company.
Recent layoffs at UnitedHealth Group
Optum, another subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group focused on patient services, is currently undergoing a series of layoffs, according to the Minnesota Star Tribune. The company in September announced hundreds of job cuts in New Jersey, California and Ohio, the bulk of which were set to take effect in December. State laws in those three places required the employer to disclose the cuts, so layoffs could have theoretically been more widespread but unreported. CBS News contacted UnitedHealth Group for more information.
Industry and family reaction
Thompson's family released a statement, saying: "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."
On Facebook, UnitedHealthcare wrote: "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. 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."
In a post on social media, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota President and CEO Dana Erickson wrote, "I cannot express enough how shocked and deeply saddened I am by the tragic death of Brian Thompson. Throughout the industry, Brian was known as a genuine and giving person who brought out the best in his teams with true authenticity and sincerity. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family, friends, and colleagues during this incredibly difficult time. His loss will be felt profoundly by many."
Pat Milton and John Doyle contributed to this article.
