Who is Brian Thompson – the slain CEO of UnitedHealthcare?
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Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, was tragically killed in a shooting that authorities are calling a “bold and deliberate assault” in Manhattan early on Wednesday.
Authorities are conducting an extensive search for the unknown gunman, who escaped the area on a bicycle. Law enforcement is investigating the reasons behind the shooting and had not apprehended anyone by Wednesday afternoon.
Here’s all the information we currently have regarding the deadly assault on the 50-year-old insurance company executive:
Thompson Gunned Down In Planned Attack
According to authorities, the shooter, whose identity remains unknown, had taken cover behind a vehicle near 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 at the corner of 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. Surveillance footage captures the shooter walking up to Thompson without any apparent urgency before shooting him several times and then leisurely crossing the street. The video also reveals a bystander who saw the incident and quickly fled as the shooting took place.
Thompson was declared deceased at a hospital close by.
"The gunman approaches the target and keeps firing. It seems that the weapon has a problem, as he pauses to fix the jam before resuming shooting," said Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny from the New York Police Department during a press briefing.
Authorities described the gunman as a white male dressed in a black hoodie and black trousers, carrying a gray backpack. It is suspected that the individual used a firearm equipped with a silencer. A food cart vendor located close to the shooting site informed NBC News that he did not hear any gunfire.
The gunman escaped the area using an electric bike. Law enforcement informed journalists that these bikes come with GPS tracking systems. He made his way down Sixth Avenue and into Central Park, where he was last spotted.
According to the police, the shooting was a deliberate and planned attack aimed specifically at Thompson. It was reported that Thompson seemed to be unaware of the threat he was in, and he didn’t have any security personnel accompanying him at the time, as stated by Kenny to the press.
Officials discovered three live 9mm bullets and three spent shell casings, along with a mobile phone, at the location where the shooting occurred.
UnitedHealth Group, the parent company of the insurance firm, was set to hold its annual Investor Conference on Wednesday. However, they have now called off the event. Thompson was planned to give a talk at 8 a.m. during the conference.
"Brian was greatly valued as a coworker and a friend by everyone who had the pleasure of working alongside him," the company expressed in a statement. "We extend our deepest sympathies to Brian's family and all those who were dear to him."
Wife Says Thompson Got Threats Amid Police Probe
Paulette Thompson, Thompson's wife, informed NBC News that her husband had been threatened before the shooting incident on Wednesday.
“She mentioned to the publication that there had been some threats involved. 'It seems like there was an issue with health insurance coverage, though I’m not sure of the specifics. All I know is that he mentioned receiving threats from certain individuals.'”
She mentioned, "I can't provide a meaningful answer at the moment. I've just learned about this and I'm focused on comforting my kids."
On Wednesday morning, the police notified her that the shooting was probably a deliberate act.
"The reason behind this murder is still unclear, but from the evidence we've gathered, it seems like the victim may have been deliberately chosen," he informed the press. "At this moment, we do not understand the motivation behind it."
The Crime Stoppers division of the New York Police Department is providing a $10,000 reward for any information that can help.
Family And Leaders Grieve CEO’s Passing
Thompson's relatives are grieving as they come to terms with the information.
Thompson's sister, Elena Reveiz, shared with The New York Times that her brother was a kind individual, and she feels deeply saddened by the situation.
Thompson's sibling, Mark, had earlier informed The Independent that he wasn't prepared to discuss the matter at that time.
Tim Walz, who used to run for vice president and is now the governor of Minnesota, shared his sympathies on social media.
"This is shocking news and a significant tragedy 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 situation and has expressed her sympathies to Thompson's family.
"We share our condolences with Mr. Thompson's family and friends, and we are dedicated to making sure that the person responsible is held accountable," Hochul stated.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams also reassured residents that the shooting did not seem to be an act of random violence.
"Adams stated on Wednesday that we want to make it clear to New Yorkers that this does not seem to be an act of violence without purpose."
Thompson has two children. Prior to becoming CEO in 2021, he served as the leader of the company's government programs division.
Thompson maintained a modest presence and wasn't widely known to the public, according to the Associated Press.
As the CEO, Thompson operated from UnitedHealthcare's headquarters in Minnetonka, Minnesota. During his tenure, the company extended its services to over 49 million individuals, establishing itself as the largest health insurance provider in the United States. The organization boasts a network of 1.3 million doctors and healthcare workers at almost 7,000 locations.
During Thompson's leadership, the company reported $74 billion in revenue in the latest quarter, earning it the distinction of being 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 people expressing dissatisfaction with health insurance after the shooting incident. One person replied, “That guy was someone's father, son, brother, and husband. Let’s take a break from the ... tweets.”
