Everything we know about murdered UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson

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Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, was tragically killed in what authorities termed a bold and deliberate attack in Manhattan early Wednesday morning.

A large-scale search is ongoing for the unknown gunman who escaped the area on a bicycle. Authorities are trying to determine the reason behind the shooting, and as of Wednesday afternoon, no arrests had been made.

Here’s what we currently know about the deadly assault on the 50-year-old CEO of an insurance company:

Thompson Injured In Planned Attack

According to police, the shooter, whose identity remains unknown, was concealed behind a vehicle outside the Hilton hotel in Midtown Manhattan for approximately five minutes before Thompson came out. Just moments before the incident, the suspect was seen at a Starbucks located on West 56th Street and 6th Avenue.

At 6:46 a.m., a masked individual approached Thompson from behind and opened fire, hitting him in the right calf and back. Video footage captures the shooter walking up to Thompson in a relaxed manner before firing several shots, then nonchalantly walking across the street. The video also reveals that a passerby witnessed the attack and fled the scene as the assailant shot at Thompson.

Thompson was declared dead at a local hospital.

"The gunman approaches the target and keeps firing. It seems that the weapon encounters a problem, but he manages to fix the issue and resumes shooting," stated Joseph Kenny, the Chief of Detectives for the New York Police Department, while speaking to the media.

Authorities identified the gunman as a Caucasian male dressed in a black hoodie and black trousers, carrying a gray backpack. It’s thought that he used a firearm equipped with a silencer. A nearby food cart vendor reported to NBC News that he did not hear any shots fired during the incident.

The gunman escaped the area using an electric bike, weaving through a back alley. Officers informed the press that these bikes have GPS tracking systems. He left the scene on Sixth Avenue and headed towards Central Park, where he was last spotted.

Police stated late Wednesday morning that the shooting was a "deliberate and planned attack aimed at a specific target." According to Kenny, Thompson seemed oblivious to the threat he was facing and lacked any security presence nearby.

Officials discovered three live 9mm bullets and three spent 9mm shell cases, along with a mobile phone, at the location where the shooting occurred.

UnitedHealth Group, the parent company of the insurance provider, was set to host its yearly Investor Conference on Wednesday. However, they have decided to call off the gathering. Thompson was planned to give a talk at 8 a.m. during the event.

"The company released a statement saying, 'Brian was a valued colleague and a dear friend to everyone who knew him. We extend our deepest condolences to his family and all those who were close to him.'"

Wife Shares Thompson Faced Threats Amid Police Search

Paulette Thompson, Thompson's wife, informed NBC News that her husband had been threatened before the shooting that took place on Wednesday.

She shared with the news source that there had been a few threats made. "It's mainly about, I think, issues with his health insurance coverage? I’m not sure of the specifics. All I know is that he mentioned some individuals had been making threats against him."

She said, "I can't provide a proper answer at the moment. I just learned about this and I'm focusing on comforting my kids."

On Wednesday morning, the police notified her that the shooting appeared to have been a deliberate assault.

"The reason behind this murder is still unclear. However, the evidence we've gathered suggests that the victim was deliberately chosen," he stated to reporters. "At this stage, we still don't know the motive."

The Crime Stoppers program of the New York Police Department is providing a reward of $10,000 for any information.

Family And Leaders Grieve CEO's Passing

Thompson's relatives are grieving as they come to terms with the heartbreaking news.

Thompson's sister, Elena Reveiz, expressed to The New York Times that her brother was a kind individual, and she feels overwhelmed with sadness.

Thompson's brother, Mark, had earlier mentioned to The Independent that he wasn't prepared to discuss the matter at that time.

Former vice presidential candidate and current governor of Minnesota, Tim Walz, expressed his sympathies on social media.

“This is devastating news and a significant loss for both the business and healthcare sectors in Minnesota,” Walz stated. “Our thoughts are with Brian’s family and the UnitedHealthcare team during this difficult time.”

New York Governor Kathy Hochul stated that she has been updated on the circumstances and has also expressed her sympathies to Thompson's family.

“We stand in solidarity with Mr. Thompson’s family and friends, and we are dedicated to making sure that the person responsible is held accountable,” said Hochul.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams reassured the community that the shooting seemed to be targeted rather than a random act of violence.

"On Wednesday, Adams emphasized to New Yorkers that this incident does not seem to be a random act of violence."

Thompson is a dad of two kids. Prior to becoming the CEO in 2021, he served as the head of government initiatives for the company.

According to the Associated Press, Thompson maintained a discreet presence and was not well-known to the public.

As the CEO, Thompson operated from UnitedHealthcare's headquarters in Minnetonka, Minnesota. During his tenure, UnitedHealthcare offered insurance to over 49 million individuals, solidifying its position as the largest health insurance provider in the United States. The organization's network features 1.3 million doctors and healthcare experts spread across nearly 7,000 locations.

During Thompson's leadership, the company generated $74 billion in revenue in the latest quarter, becoming the largest subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group. Thompson's annual salary was $10.2 million, making him one of the top earners in the organization.

Social media was filled with grievances about health insurance in the aftermath of the shooting. One user replied, “That person was a father, son, brother, and husband. Let’s tone down the ... tweets.”