Brian Thompson, 50, was shot around 6:45 a.m. ET (1145 GMT) outside the Hilton on Sixth Avenue, where the company’s annual investor conference was about to take place. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Police said the gunman remains at large and they are still investigating a motive
NEW YORK: Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealth’s insurance unit, was fatally shot on Wednesday morning outside a Midtown Manhattan hotel in what police described as a “brazen” targeted attack by a gunman lying in wait for him.
Thompson, 50, was shot around 6:45 a.m. ET (1145 GMT) outside the Hilton on Sixth Avenue, where the company’s annual investor conference was about to take place. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Police said the gunman remains at large and they are still investigating a motive.
“This does not appear to be a random act of violence,” New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said at a press conference. “Every indication is that this was a premeditated, pre-planned, targeted attack.”
The suspect, wearing a mask and carrying a gray backpack, fled on foot before mounting an electric bike and riding into Central Park, police said.
The killing took place just hours before the city’s annual Christmas tree lighting at Rockefeller Center a few blocks away, a televised event that draws massive crowds. Police officials said the lighting would proceed as planned under heavy security.
Thompson’s wife, Paulette, told NBC News that he had received some threats, though she did not know any specifics.
“Basically, I don’t know, a lack of coverage?” she said, according to the network. “I don’t know details. I just know that he said there were some people that had been threatening him.”
UnitedHealth is the largest U.S. health insurer, providing benefits to tens of millions of Americans, who pay more for healthcare than in any other country.
The company has been grappling with the fallout from a massive data hack of its Change Healthcare unit that provides technology for U.S. health providers, disrupting medical care for patients and reimbursement to doctors for months.
‘SPECIFICALLY TARGETED’
Video showed the gunman arrived outside the Hilton about five minutes before Thompson. He ignored several other people walking by, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny told reporters. When Thompson approached the hotel, the gunman shot him in the back with a pistol and then continued firing, even after his gun appeared to jam.
“Based on the evidence we have so far, it does appear that the victim was specifically targeted, but at this point, we do not know why,” Kenny said.
About one hour after UnitedHealth’s investor conference started at 8 a.m. ET, Chief Executive Andrew Witty took the stage to announce the rest of the program was canceled. The company later removed photos of its leadership team from its web site.
“We are working closely with the New York Police Department and ask for your patience and understanding during this difficult time,” the company said in a statement. “Our hearts go out to Brian’s family and all who were close to him.”
Thompson was named UnitedHealthcare CEO in April 2021 after working at the company since 2004 in several departments, according to its website.
“Sometimes you meet a lot of fake people in these corporate environments. He certainly didn’t ever give me the impression of being one of them,” said Antonio Ciaccia, CEO of healthcare research non-profit 46brooklyn, who knew Thompson. “He was a genuinely thoughtful and respectable guy.”
In May, a pension fund serving firefighters in Hollywood, Florida, sued United and three executives, including Thompson, accusing them of selling a combined $120 million in shares after being made aware of a U.S. Department of Justice antitrust probe before the public became aware, according to the complaint.
Politicians including Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Senator Amy Klobuchar released condolence statements on Wednesday.
“This is a horrifying and shocking act of violence. My thoughts are with Brian Thompson’s family and loved ones and all those working at United Healthcare in Minnesota,” said Klobuchar.
Reuters