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Edited by: Fern Sidman
The NYPD has unveiled new, unmasked photos of the suspect in the shocking shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. This marks the first time the public has seen the suspect’s full face since the brazen attack that left Thompson, 50, fatally wounded outside the New York Hilton Midtown hotel in Manhattan. NBC New York has reported that the origin and timing of the photos in relation to the shooting remain unclear, but they are considered crucial to the ongoing investigation.
The NYPD has released unmasked photos of the gunman wanted in the assassination of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson pic.twitter.com/fJ51hl4M0b
— Mr Commonsense (@fopminui) December 5, 2024
In a statement shared via social media, the NYPD described the killing as a premeditated and targeted act, emphasizing the need for public assistance in identifying the suspect. “This does not appear to be a random act of violence; all indications are that it was a premeditated, targeted attack. The full investigative efforts of the NYPD are continuing, and we are asking for the public’s help,” the statement read, as reported by NBC New York.
The shooting occurred early Wednesday morning, as Thompson approached the Hilton Midtown ahead of a UnitedHealth Group investor meeting. Surveillance footage obtained by NBC New York reveals the chilling sequence of events: the suspect approached Thompson from behind on 54th Street, shooting him in the back. Police officials noted that the gun jammed during the attack, but the suspect quickly cleared the malfunction and continued firing at Thompson from the front before fleeing the scene.
The NYPD described the attack as “brazen” and “premeditated,” with Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch stating that investigators are confident the shooter had been lying in wait for his intended target. “Many people passed the suspect, but he appeared to wait for his intended target,” Tisch said during a news conference. Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny added that the shooter demonstrated considerable skill in handling firearms, clearing the gun’s malfunctions with remarkable proficiency.
As reported by NBC New York, the investigation has uncovered several enigmatic details that could provide insight into the suspect’s motives. Bullet casings recovered from the scene bore cryptic messages—“defend,” “deny,” and “depose.” A law enforcement official indicated that these phrases align with the title of a book on the health insurance industry that the suspect may have inquired about prior to the attack.
Thompson, who had served as CEO of UnitedHealthcare since April 2021, was well-known in the healthcare industry. The deliberate nature of the attack has led investigators to consider whether it may have been related to his high-profile position or his professional dealings.
After the attack, the suspect was seen fleeing on an e-bike toward Central Park, where police tracked him to the area of Center Drive. Despite deploying drones, helicopters, and K-9 units in an intensive manhunt, authorities were unable to locate the shooter, NBC New York reported. The suspect remains at large as of the latest updates.
The newly released photos are a key development in the investigation. While the NYPD has not disclosed how the unmasked images were obtained, they hope the public can provide information to help identify and locate the suspect.
The suspect, described as wearing a hooded jacket and a mask that would not have drawn attention on a cold winter day, was captured in several surveillance images. According to the information provided in the NBC New York report, some of the photos were taken at a Starbucks coffee shop near the crime scene, where the suspect purchased a water bottle and two protein bars shortly before the shooting. A senior New York City law enforcement official told NBC News that the suspect discarded these items, which have since been collected by the NYPD as evidence.
Police are offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the suspect’s arrest and conviction. The department has called on the public to help identify the man in the surveillance photos, emphasizing that any tip could prove critical.
Thompson’s wife, Paulette Thompson, revealed to NBC News that her husband had mentioned receiving threats, which she believed were related to disputes over insurance coverage. While the Minneapolis suburb police department where Thompson lived confirmed they had no reports of threats against him, the NYPD is investigating whether these threats were connected to the murder.
Initially, police reported that the shooter fled the scene on a CitiBike, but further investigation clarified that the bike was not part of the city’s bike-share fleet, according to a spokesperson for Lyft, which operates CitiBike. The suspect was last seen riding a bicycle into Central Park, where police deployed drones, helicopters, and dogs in an extensive search that ultimately did not locate him.
In a statement reported by NBC New York, UnitedHealth Group, based in Minnetonka, Minnesota, described Thompson as “a highly respected colleague and friend to all who worked with him.” The company, the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans in the U.S., halted its investor meeting early following Thompson’s death. UnitedHealthcare oversees health insurance for employers, Medicaid programs, and state and federal agencies, making Thompson a prominent figure in the healthcare industry.
Thompson, a father of two sons, had been with UnitedHealth Group since 2004 and served as CEO of UnitedHealthcare for over three years. His leadership and contributions to the company were widely recognized, and his death has sent shockwaves through both the corporate world and his local community.
As the investigation continues, the NYPD and Thompson’s family are urging anyone with information to come forward. The $10,000 reward underscores the urgency of the case. NBC New York reported that police are meticulously analyzing evidence, including the discarded items and the cryptic messages found on bullet casings at the scene, which read “defend,” “deny,” and “depose.”
Despite the progress made, significant questions remain about the shooter’s identity, motive, and connection to Thompson’s professional life. Investigators are exploring whether the attack stemmed from disputes within the health insurance industry, as suggested by Thompson’s wife, or if other personal or professional factors were involved.
