UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was tragically shot in what police are calling a 'brazen targeted attack' in Manhattan early Wednesday morning.
Authorities have launched an extensive manhunt for the unidentified shooter, who fled the scene on a bicycle. As of Wednesday afternoon, no arrests had been made, and the motive remains unclear.
Paulette Thompson, the wife of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, revealed to NBC News that her husband had received threats before the fatal shooting on Wednesday. She said:
"There had been some threats... Basically, I don’t know, a lack of [health insurance] coverage? I don’t know details. I just know that he said there were some people that had been threatening him."
How did the UnitedHealthcare CEO die?
Police revealed that the shooter had been waiting behind a car for approximately five minutes before Thompson exited the building. Surveillance footage later placed the suspect at a Starbucks on West 56th Street and 6th Avenue shortly before the attack.
At 6:46 a.m., the masked assailant approached Thompson from behind and shot him in the right calf and back. Video evidence shows the shooter calmly walking up to Thompson and firing multiple shots before crossing the street. A bystander who witnessed the attack fled the scene as the gunman continued firing.
The suspect, described as a white male wearing a black hoodie, black pants, and a gray backpack, was allegedly armed with a gun fitted with a silencer.
The suspect fled the scene on an electric bike, using an alleyway for a swift escape. Police noted that e-bikes often have GPS devices, which could aid in tracking the shooter. The individual was last seen heading toward Central Park via Sixth Avenue.
Authorities have classified the incident as a 'premeditated and carefully planned targeted attack.' NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny stated that Brian Thompson appeared utterly unaware of any imminent threat and was without a security detail at the time.
Investigators recovered critical evidence at the scene, including three live 9mm rounds, three spent shell casings, and a cell phone.
The attack occurred on the same day as UnitedHealth Group’s annual Investor Conference, where Thompson was slated to speak at 8 a.m. The event was canceled following the tragedy.
Who was Brian Thompson
As CBS News reported, Brian Thompson resided in Maple Grove, Minnesota, and maintained a low public profile despite his influence in the healthcare sector. In 2023, his total compensation was reported at $10.2 million, underscoring his role in steering UnitedHealth Group's direction.
He was a prominent American business executive who served as the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, the insurance arm of UnitedHealth Group, starting in April 2021. Born in 1973, he had a career spanning several decades in health care and finance, marked by leadership roles and contributions to one of the largest health insurers in the world.
CEO of UnitedHealthcare (2021-2024): Thompson oversaw the company's global, employer, individual, specialty, and government benefits businesses. He emphasized the shift to 'value-based care,' aiming to improve patient outcomes and reduce costs by focusing on preventive health measures.
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Prior to his role as CEO, Thompson led UnitedHealthcare’s government programs, managing Medicare, Medicaid, and retiree coverage for millions of Americans.
Certified public accountant (PwC): Before his tenure at UnitedHealth Group, he worked at PwC, gaining foundational experience in accounting and business strategy.
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