The CEO of UnitedHealthcare was fatally shot Wednesday morning in what police said appeared to be a “premeditated and planned targeted attack” outside the New York Hilton Hotel in midtown Manhattan.
Brian Thompson, 50, was about to speak at UnitedHealth Group’s investor conference when the gunman approached from behind and “fired several rounds,” Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said during the a press conference.
He was shot at least once in the back and at least once in the right calf, Tisch said, adding that the shooter had been “waiting for several minutes.”
“Many people passed the suspect, but he seemed to be waiting for his target,” she said.
Security video shows Thompson, dressed in a blue suit, walking down a fairly quiet street. The shooter approaches him from behind and opens fire, it can be seen.
Thompson stumbles as a witness runs to safety. The gunman continues shooting as Thompson falls to the ground, the video shows.
Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said the shooter arrived on scene about five minutes before the shooting and shot Thompson in the back.
“The shooter then walks toward the victim and continues shooting. It appears the gun is malfunctioning as he clears the jam and begins shooting again,” he said.
Three live 9mm rounds and three discharged 9mm shell casings were found at the scene, along with a cell phone near the scene.
Kenny reiterated that the shooting appears to have been a targeted attack.
“The motive for this murder is currently unknown, but based on the evidence we have so far, it appears that the victim was specifically targeted,” he told reporters. “But at this point we don’t know why.”
Thompson, who lives in Minnesota, was pronounced dead at Mount Sinai West.
His wife, Paulette Thompson, said he had received threats.
“There have been threats,” she told NBC News. “Basically, I don’t know, a lack of media coverage? I don’t know the details. I just know he said some people were threatening him.”
She said police told her it appeared the shooting was “a planned attack.”
The shooter fled on foot and then on a rental bike, Tisch said. He was last seen in Central Park. As of Wednesday morning, no arrests had been made, police said. Crime Stoppers is offering a $10,000 reward for information.
Police said the shooter was wearing a black hoodie and black pants and carrying a gray backpack. He is believed to have used a gun with a silencer, according to a person familiar with the matter. told CNBC.
A food cart vendor near the scene told NBC News he did not hear any gunshots but saw police vehicles and two helicopters in the area.
UnitedHealth Group, the parent company, was holding its annual investor conference Wednesday morning in New York, but abruptly ended it due to a “very serious medical situation” with a team member.
The company said in a statement that it was “deeply saddened and shocked.”
“Brian was a highly respected colleague and friend to all who worked with him,” it reads. “Our thoughts are with Brian’s family and all his loved ones.”
Thompson was named CEO of UnitedHealthcare in April 2021, according to his bio page. He joined UnitedHealth Group in 2004.
He was previously CEO of UnitedHealthcare government programs, including Medicare & Retirement and Community & State. He also served as CEO of UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement.
Thompson is survived by his wife and two sons.
Gabrielle Rudy, Polly DeFrank, Steve Kopack And Susan Kroll contributed.