UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was fatally shot in New York on Wednesday in what police suspect was a targeted attack. Thompson, who had led the nation’s largest Medicare Advantage insurer for over three years, was killed outside the Hilton Midtown hotel before heading to his company’s annual conference.
The New York Police Department (NYPD) has entered the third day of their investigation, focusing on identifying the suspect. Authorities released an image of a “person of interest” seen smiling at a hostel on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. Hostel staff reported that the man usually wore a mask but had briefly lowered it while speaking to an employee.
Clues Point to Suspect’s Movements
Authorities believe the gunman traveled to New York from Atlanta on a Greyhound bus last month. The suspect allegedly used a fake New Jersey ID to check into the hostel. Investigators are analyzing a phone, a discarded water bottle, and a protein bar wrapper recovered near the crime scene for additional clues.
Police also uncovered ammunition at the scene with words like “deny,” “defend,” and “depose,” which align with phrases used by critics of the health insurance industry. Although the gunman’s motive remains unclear, Thompson’s wife, Paulette, revealed that he had received threats before his death.
The shooter fled the scene on an electric bike and was last seen heading into Central Park. Investigators continue to probe the suspect’s identity and actions leading up to the attack.
