Police hunt for masked gunman who killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Manhattan ambush
In midtown Manhattan early this morning, 50 12 months outdated Brian Thompson, the CEO of United Healthcare was shot and killed in what seems at this early stage of our investigation to be *** brazen focused assault. This doesn’t look like *** random act of violence. The sufferer was in New York Metropolis to talk at an investor convention. It seems the suspect was mendacity in look forward to a number of minutes and because the sufferer was strolling to the convention resort, the suspect approached from behind and fired a number of rounds hanging the sufferer no less than as soon as within the again and no less than as soon as in the suitable calf, many individuals handed the suspect however he appeared to attend for his supposed goal. The suspect fled first on foot then on an E bike and was final seen in central park on middle drive early this morning. The sufferer was eliminated to Roosevelt Hospital the place he was pronounced. We have been in contact together with his household, his mates and his colleagues and they’re very a lot in our ideas and prayers at this hour. The total investigative efforts of the New York Metropolis Police Division are effectively underway and we won’t relaxation till we determine and apprehend the shooter. On this case, the ladies and men of the NYPD take huge pleasure within the work that they do every day and every evening to drive down crime and violence in our metropolis. Proper now, we’re asking the general public in your assist. When you have any details about this case, name crime stoppers at 805 77 ideas, now we have elevated the reward on this case to $10,000. I wish to be clear at the moment. Each indication is that this was *** premeditated, pre deliberate focused assault. Hundreds of thousands of individuals might be having fun with the tree lighting tonight. Amongst different vacation occasions and the NYPD might be on the market with them, maintaining them secure for some preliminary particulars about at the moment’s tragic incident. I move it over to our chief of detectives chief Joe Kenny. Thanks, Commissioner. The data I am about to offer you is preliminary as our investigation is continuous this morning at 6:46 a.m. Patrol officers from Midtown North precinct responded to *** 911 name of *** individual shot in entrance of the Hilton Resort positioned at 1335 Avenue of the Americas. That is between West 53rd road and West West 54th road. At 6:48 a.m. Officers arrive and discover the sufferer. Brian R Thompson, *** 50 12 months outdated male on the sidewalk in entrance of the Hilton with gunshot wounds to his again and leg Mr Thompson was eliminated by Ems the Roosevelt hospital the place he was pronounced lifeless at 7:12 a.m. Mr Thompson is the CEO of United Well being Care and resides in Minnesota. Detectives from evening watch midtown North detective squad and Manhattan South murder responded to the scene and started their investigation. What we all know is that the shooter arrived on the location on foot about 5 minutes previous to the sufferer’s arrival. He stands alongside the constructing line as quite a few different individuals and pedestrians move him by from video we see at 6:44 a.m. the sufferer is strolling alone in the direction of the Hilton after exiting his resort throughout the road, we imagine the sufferer was headed to the Hilton Resort to attend the United Well being Group Buyers convention that was scheduled to start out at 8 a.m. The shooter seems to be *** mild skinned male. He is carrying *** mild brown or cream coloured jacket, *** black face masks, black and white sneakers and *** very distinctive grey backpack. The shooter steps onto the sidewalk from behind the automobile. He ignores quite a few different pedestrians approaches the sufferer from behind and shoots him within the again. The shooter then walks towards the sufferer and continues to shoot. It seems that the gun malfunctions as he clears the jam and begins to fireplace once more. The shooter then flees on foot northbound into an alleyway between 54th road and fifty fifth road. As soon as at West fifty fifth Avenue, the shooter continues to stroll westbound on the Avenue of the Americas the place he will get onto an electrical E bike and rides northbound on the Avenue America’s in the direction of Central Park the place at 6:48 a.m. now we have the shooter using this bike into central park at middle drive on the scene, we get better three dwell 9 millimeter rounds and three discharged 9 millimeter shell casings. The motive for this homicide at present is unknown. However primarily based on the proof now we have thus far, it does seem that the sufferer was particularly focused. However at this level, we have no idea why this doesn’t look like *** random act of violence. We’re searching for data from the general public to assist determine the shooter. Because the commissioner stated, now we have upped the reward of as much as $10,000 for data. You are urged to contact crime stoppers at 1 805 77 ideas, all data might be saved nameless. Thanks very a lot. Um So it is about an hour and 20 minutes earlier than the beginning of the convention. Is there any indication that he was going to satisfy somebody as a result of it is fairly early. Is he on his approach to meet somebody there on the convention? He leaves the resort dressed like he’ll be attending the convention. We’re working together with his coworkers and different those that he deliberate on attending the convention with to get that on the. However as of proper now, he is, , in command of the convention So we imagine he is getting there to assist arrange. Okay. After which simply the town bike, if I could do we all know the place that metropolis bike is? Now? Does he dock it or does he maintain using it? We’re nonetheless monitoring video. The final we see with him on that bike is in central as a result of is there *** approach to monitor that bike by way of the gps on these bikes? We’ll be working with the corporate and chief from, had been any phrases exchanged? In that case, what had been the phrases? Uh And uh, I am instructed the cellular phone was lined uh, in alleyway on his escape route. Uh Does that look like related? We’re working by way of that cellular phone. Clearly, we’ll be processing it forensically and so far as phrases being exchanged, we shouldn’t have audio of the incident. We solely have the common video. Nothing. Properly, there was one witness standing proper subsequent to the sufferer when he was shot. We’re nonetheless making an attempt to determine that sufferer. Excuse me. Excuse me, that witness to Eric. Thanks. Um Chief, was he checked into the resort throughout the road alone? Was he within the metropolis alone? Was he accompanied by, by anyone? Did he have any identified enemies or, or anybody that you’ve got been capable of finding thus far? Like I stated, we’re, we’re reaching out to regulation enforcement in Minnesota and we’re additionally interviewing his, his coworkers and relations to see if there have been any particular threats towards him previously so far as who was he, uh, within the resort with, uh, we’re doing *** search warrant in his resort room proper now which may lead us, uh, give us some extra data. All proper, we’re gonna go over to, uh, Dean Moses. So primarily based on the surveillance, um, do you’re feeling like he is skilled? You talked about that it’s good to put in spell specialist? What, um, I will reply the half about whether or not or not he is *** skilled that, , now we have no approach of figuring out that. Um from watching the video, it does appear that he is proficient in the usage of firearms as he was capable of clear the malfunctions fairly rapidly. However so far as the tree lighting, I will, I will go away that to Chief Magic. Good morning Dean. Uh simply actually fast. We do not, this incident won’t have an effect on the tree lighting. The tree lighting is slated to start out at 7 p.m. The present, the precise lighting of the tree might be shut at 10 o’clock. Truly 9:55 p.m. We can have *** large police presence on the market round Rockefeller Middle from 52nd road all the best way all the way down to forty seventh road. We can have plainclothes on the market, *** plainclothes element on the market. We can have our, our CRC property, our spec uh strategic res response group property. We can have our intel division on the market. Uh *** lot of property on the market to verify individuals can come out and have *** good time and we’re gonna have further cops within the subways as effectively so individuals can take mass transit to make it simpler to journey into the town and benefit from the tree. Uh That is *** horrible occasion, however we’ll go on and persons are gonna benefit from the tree lighting tonight. Um I’m wondering should you might inform me the mayor stated that there was proof recovered on the scene that will point out that this was not *** random occasion. I’m wondering should you might inform me what that proof was. And by trying on the gun, it seems that there’s *** silencer on the gun. Was there *** silencer on the gun? And does this point out not solely that it was premeditated, however that is anyone who knew his approach round weapons and might need been *** skilled. As soon as once more, we can’t know that till we full our investigation and determine the shooter or get better that firearm. You understand, you see *** glimpse of the gun in video. So we’re not capable of make *** dedication on whether or not or not *** silencer was used on that fast glimpse of video. We will not inform from that little glimpse of video. I am not going to decide to saying that at the moment that will be a part of our investigation. There’s ***, there’s *** cellular phone recovered within the alleyway and as soon as once more, we’ll course of that forensically and see if it comes again to this taking pictures. As soon as once more, this investigation is lower than 5 hours outdated. That might be a part of our investigation arrived in New York Metropolis. Uh, my understanding is he staying shut, reverse video and incubated it as of proper now, primarily based on the present video that we do have, it would not seem that they crossed paths and he arrived in New York on Monday. All proper, we’re gonna take two or three extra. Rocco, uh, chief, did he, uh, usually journey with *** safety element? And although it is early, is there something to point that there had been points with, to illustrate *** affected person who was denied protection both, uh, again in Minnesota or Mo extra lately, , somebody who lives right here from, from chatting with different workers that traveled with him to New York. It would not appear that he had his safety element. Uh, he left the resort by himself, uh, was strolling, uh, did not seem to be he had any points in any respect. Um, so I do not suppose he didn’t have *** safety element so far as I do know that that is, that is usually a difficulty with these main firms. Any, any motive to imagine he had been the topic of ***, of *** menace. On as soon as once more, we’re, we’re, we’re all the pieces, we’re his social media, we’re interviewing workers, we’re interviewing relations, we might be chatting with regulation enforcement in Minnesota. Sorry, I used to be simply going to ask if any cursory, take a look at any social media, whether or not it is the corporate, whether or not it is his private social media, his household, is there something apparent that stands proud at this early stage? We’ve got not uncovered something at the moment? The investigation continues to be too early. How’s it going? Um, , with the suspects nonetheless at massive final 12 months in Central Park, are you urging New Yorkers to keep away from the park? Is the NYPD deploying its drones? Uh I do know they lately began doing that within the park. After which additionally I used to be questioning, is there any indication when he will get this metropolis bike that he is *** metropolis bike member? It is like generally should you’re not *** member, you’ll be able to uh pay to make use of it. I do not know should you’re capable of expertise it actual the town. However uh the chief of detect was the reply the half in regards to the metropolis bike. However by way of we’re, we’re encouraging New Yorkers to go about their every day lives and their every day enterprise. However to be alert, we put the image out. You are placing the image out. We wish individuals to take *** look in the event that they see something suspicious. In the event that they hear something suspicious, we ask them to name 911 to achieve out to our detectives, uh with an incident like this, after all, we put uh uh *** heavy deployment into Manhattan. We put further assets out. We’ve got the drones up, now we have aviation out, now we have canine out when an incident like this occurs, we do not spare any, any expense. We put all of our assets on the market to assist the chief of detectives mission and to maintain New Yorkers secure. So we can have *** large presence on the market across the tree lighting, however all through Manhattan as effectively till extra data develops and we’re capable of assist the chief of detectives and what he must make *** fast arrest so far as the place he bought the town bike. We’re nonetheless working that by way of. Like I stated, we’re, we’re pulling video from quite a few places, quite a few sources and now we have him on our timeline strolling. And what we’re very lucky is he has that very distinctive nice backpack on. So we see him on one video clip strolling after which one other supply of video him using that bike. So we do not have video or witness affirmation on how he obtained that bike, cellular phone, cellular phone was recovered. We’ll affirm that afterward down if we, , do our forensic examination. Thanks everybody. Thanks. Thanks in your time and a focus.
Police hunt for masked gunman who killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Manhattan ambush
Up to date: 9:41 PM EST Dec 5, 2024
The masked gunman who stalked and killed the pinnacle of one of many largest U.S. well being insurers had the phrases “deny,” “defend” and “depose” emblazoned on his ammunition, echoing a phrase utilized by business critics, two regulation enforcement officers stated Thursday.The phrases had been written in everlasting marker, in line with one of many officers, who weren’t licensed to publicly talk about particulars of the investigation into the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson and spoke to The Related Press on the situation of anonymity.With the gunman nonetheless at massive, police collected key clues Thursday as they tried to determine the killer.Investigators now imagine the suspect could have traveled to New York final month on a bus that originated in Atlanta, one of many regulation enforcement officers stated.Police additionally launched new photographs Thursday of an individual needed for questioning. The pictures, displaying an unmasked man within the foyer of a Manhattan hostel, add to a set of photographs and video which have circulated because the taking pictures — together with footage of the assault itself, in addition to nonetheless frames of the suspected gunman stopping at a Starbucks beforehand.Police and federal brokers have been accumulating data from Greyhound in an try and determine the suspect and are working to find out whether or not he bought the bus ticket to New York in late November, the official stated. Thompson, 50, died in a daybreak ambush as he walked from his midtown resort to the corporate’s annual investor convention at a Hilton throughout the road, blocks from vacationer attracts comparable to Radio Metropolis Music Corridor, the Museum of Fashionable Artwork and Rockefeller Middle. The rationale for the killing remained unknown, however New York Metropolis police say proof firmly factors to it being a focused assault.The messages on the 9 mm ammunition discovered on the scene of the taking pictures mimic the phrase “delay, deny, defend,” which is often utilized by attorneys and insurance coverage business critics to explain techniques used to keep away from paying claims.It refers to insurers delaying fee, denying a declare after which defending their actions. Well being insurers like UnitedHealthcare have turn into frequent targets of criticism from docs and sufferers for denying claims or complicating entry to care.Investigators additionally recovered a cellphone from a pedestrian plaza by way of which the shooter fled. Inside a close-by trash can, they discovered a water bottle and protein bar wrapper that they are saying the gunman bought from Starbucks minutes earlier than the taking pictures. Town’s crime lab is inspecting these gadgets for DNA and fingerprints.Investigators had been nonetheless making an attempt to acquire further data from the cellphone Thursday, the regulation enforcement official stated.A tip that the shooter could have stayed at a hostel introduced police Thursday morning to no less than two such institutions on Manhattan’s Higher West Facet, in line with one of many regulation enforcement officers briefed on the investigation. The photographs made public Thursday had been taken within the foyer of the HI New York Metropolis hostel.“We’re absolutely cooperating with the NYPD and, as that is an lively investigation, can’t remark at the moment,” hostel spokesperson Danielle Brumfitt stated in an emailed assertion.Investigators imagine the suspect used a faux New Jersey identification card when he checked in on the hostel, stated one of many officers who spoke with The AP.Workers who work on the hostel instructed investigators they remembered a person who virtually at all times wore a masks when interacting with them or passing by the entrance desk and that the individual wore a jacket that seemed just like the one worn by the person pictured in surveillance pictures launched after the taking pictures, the official stated.After the taking pictures, police stated the gunman fled on a bicycle and was final seen using into Central Park.Members of the general public have flooded police with ideas — many unfounded. Police searched a Lengthy Island Rail Highway prepare Wednesday evening after a commuter claimed to have noticed the shooter, however they discovered no signal of the gunman.“We’re following up on each single tip that is available in,” Assistant Commissioner Carlos Nieves, a police spokesperson, stated. ”That little piece of data might be the lacking piece of the puzzle that ties all the pieces collectively.”Primarily based on surveillance video and proof from the scene, investigators imagine the shooter had no less than some firearms coaching and expertise with weapons and that the weapon was geared up with a silencer, one of many regulation enforcement officers instructed the AP.Investigators had been additionally trying into whether or not the suspect had pre-positioned a motorcycle as a part of an escape plan, the official stated.Safety video exhibits the killer approaching Thompson from behind, leveling his pistol and firing a number of pictures, barely pausing to clear a gun jam whereas the chief tumbled to the sidewalk. Cameras confirmed him fleeing the block throughout a pedestrian plaza earlier than getting on the bicycle.Police launched a number of pictures of the person carrying a hooded jacket and a masks that hid most of his face — a glance that will not have attracted consideration on a cold morning. They’ve additionally used drones, helicopters and canine in an intensive seek for the killer, whereas additionally interviewing Thompson’s coworkers, looking out his resort room and scouring his social media.Thompson, a father of two sons who lived in a Minneapolis suburb, had been with Minnetonka, Minnesota-based UnitedHealthcare since 2004 and served as CEO for greater than three years.His spouse, Paulette, instructed NBC Information on Wednesday that he instructed her “there have been some those that had been threatening him.” She didn’t have particulars however prompt the threats could have concerned points with insurance coverage protection.The insurer’s guardian firm, UnitedHealth Group Inc., was holding its annual assembly in New York to replace traders on its path and expectations for the approaching 12 months. The corporate ended the convention early within the wake of Thompson’s demise.UnitedHealthcare supplies protection for greater than 49 million People and introduced in additional than $281 billion in income final 12 months. It’s the largest supplier of Medicare Benefit plans within the U.S. and manages medical insurance protection for employers and state and federally funded Medicaid applications.In October, UnitedHealthcare was named together with Humana and CVS in a Senate report detailing how its denial charge for prior authorizations for some Medicare Benefit sufferers has surged in recent times.
The masked gunman who stalked and killed the chief of one of many largest U.S. medical insurance firms outdoors a Manhattan resort used ammunition emblazoned with the phrases “deny,” “defend” and “depose,” a regulation enforcement official stated Thursday.
The official was not licensed to publicly talk about particulars of the continued investigation and spoke to The Related Press on the situation of anonymity.
UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, 50, died in a daybreak ambush Wednesday as he walked to the corporate’s annual investor convention at a Hilton resort in Midtown, blocks from vacationer attracts like Radio Metropolis Music Corridor and the Museum of Fashionable Artwork. The rationale behind the killing remained unknown.
The phrases on the ammunition could have been a reference to methods insurance coverage firms allegedly use to attempt to keep away from paying claims.
Investigators recovered a number of 9 mm shell casings from outdoors the resort and a cellphone from the alleyway by way of which the shooter fled, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny had stated earlier.
The killing and the shooter’s actions within the minutes earlier than and afterward had been captured on a number of the multitudes of safety cameras current in that a part of the town.
On Thursday, The New York Police Division launched photographs of a “individual of curiosity needed for questioning” within the investigation.
Video beneath: Police launch new photographs of ‘individual of curiosity’ in UnitedHealthcare CEO killing
The hunt for the shooter introduced New York Metropolis police Thursday morning to no less than two hostels on Manhattan’s Higher West Facet, primarily based on a tip that the suspected shooter could have stayed at one of many residences, in line with a second regulation enforcement official briefed on the investigation, who requested anonymity as a result of they weren’t licensed to debate the continued search.
Two detectives arrived on the Kama Central Park hostel with a photograph of the shooter and requested employees in the event that they acknowledged the person, an worker confirmed to the AP. They didn’t, the worker stated, and the detectives left. An worker on the close by HI New York Metropolis hostel additionally confirmed that police had visited the situation Thursday, however declined to offer additional data.
Additionally Thursday, police launched photographs of an individual they stated was needed for query in reference to Thompson’s taking pictures.
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch stated at a information convention Wednesday that whereas investigators had not but established a motive, the taking pictures was no random act of violence. “Many individuals handed the suspect, however he appeared to attend for his supposed goal,” she stated.
Investigators imagine, judging from surveillance video and proof collected from the scene, that the shooter had no less than some prior firearms coaching and expertise with weapons and the weapon was geared up with a silencer, stated one of many regulation enforcement officers who spoke with the AP.
Investigators are additionally trying into whether or not the suspect had pre-positioned a motorcycle as a part of an escape plan, the official stated. The shooter fled on a motorcycle and he was final seen using into Central Park.
Authorities had been working DNA and fingerprint evaluation on gadgets discovered close by, together with a water bottle, that they imagine the suspect could have discarded, the official stated.
Safety digicam video confirmed the killer method Thompson from behind, degree his pistol and fireplace a number of pictures, barely pausing to clear a gun jam whereas the well being government tumbled to the pavement.
Different cameras captured the preliminary phases of the gunman’s escape. He fled the block throughout a pedestrian plaza, then escaped on the bicycle. Police used drones, helicopters and canine in an intensive search, however the killer’s whereabouts remained unknown.
Police issued a number of surveillance pictures of the person, who wore a hooded jacket and a masks that hid most of his face and would not have attracted consideration on a frigid day. A few of the photographs had been taken at a Starbucks espresso store shortly earlier than the taking pictures. Police supplied a reward of as much as $10,000 for data resulting in an arrest and conviction.
Thompson, a father of two sons, had been with UnitedHealthcare since 2004 and served as CEO for greater than three years.
The insurer’s Minnetonka, Minnesota-based guardian firm, UnitedHealth Group Inc., was holding its annual assembly with traders in New York to replace Wall Avenue on the corporate’s path and expectations for the approaching 12 months. The corporate ended the convention early within the wake of Thompson’s demise.
“Brian was a extremely revered colleague and pal to all who labored with him,” UnitedHealth Group stated in a press release. “We’re working intently with the New York Police Division and ask in your persistence and understanding throughout this tough time.”
Thompson’s spouse, Paulette Thompson, instructed NBC Information that he instructed her “there have been some those that had been threatening him.” She didn’t have particulars however prompt the threats could have concerned points with insurance coverage protection.
Eric Werner, the police chief within the Minneapolis suburb the place Thompson lived, stated his division had not obtained any experiences of threats towards the chief.
UnitedHealthcare is the biggest supplier of Medicare Benefit plans within the U.S. and manages medical insurance protection for employers and state and federally funded Medicaid applications.
