The New York City police commissioner said at a press conference on Wednesday that the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson appears to be a targeted hit.
“I want to be clear: at this time, every indication is that this was a premeditated, pre-planned, targeted attack,” said New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch.
The suspect arrived on foot outside the Hilton hotel in Midtown Manhattan around five minutes before Thompson was seen walking alone without any security detail toward the hotel where his company was holding a conference, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joe Kenny said. The suspect, who appears to be a white male, approached Thompson from behind and shot him in the back just after 6:45 am, according to Kenny. The suspect continued walking toward Thompson, shooting him multiple times.
The shooter then fled on foot before getting onto an electric city bike and riding into Central Park. The last known location of the suspect was in Central Park, and Kenny said the city e-bikes have GPS locators on them. Kenny added that authorities still do not know the motive for the shooting.
The UnitedHealthcare CEO was pronounced dead at a hospital shortly after the shooting. New York City Democratic Mayor Adams told reporters, “We want to be clear to New Yorkers that this does not appear to be a random act of violence,” The New York Times reported.
The Times reported that the shooter appeared to know which entrance Thompson would use to enter the hotel.
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A surveillance photo taken near the hotel showed the suspect wearing all black with a backpack and appearing to hold a long handgun. Another photo showed the suspect fleeing on a bike after the shooting.
At the press conference on Wednesday, police released a flyer showing the surveillance images and offering a $10,000 reward to anyone who has information on the suspect.
New York Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul said she has been briefed on the shooting and called it “horrific.”
“Our hearts are with the family and loved ones of Mr. Thompson, and we are committed to ensuring the perpetrator is brought to justice,” she said.
