New York — In a shocking incident early Wednesday morning, Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, was fatally shot outside the New York Hilton Midtown, where he was set to attend his company’s annual investors’ conference. New York Police Department has been investigating the scene, marked by a detailed chronological account based on surveillance footage and eyewitness reports.
The assailant, who is yet to be apprehended, was reportedly captured on a Starbucks security camera near 6th Avenue at 6:17 a.m. This crucial piece of evidence places the suspect close to the crime scene minutes before the attack occurred.
According to NYPD Chief of Detectives Joe Kenny, the sequence of events began when the shooter arrived on foot at the scene shortly before Thompson did. Surveillance footage shows the gunman loitering by the building’s entrance while Thompson approached the Hilton from his hotel across the street. At approximately 6:44 a.m., just as Thompson neared the venue at 1335 Avenue of the Americas, the gunman approached him from behind and opened fire.
“The shooter approached Mr. Thompson from behind, shooting him once in the back before continuing to fire several more shots. It seems the firearm jammed briefly, but the suspect managed to clear it and resumed firing,” Kenny detailed in his report. This horrific act happened in a busy area of Midtown Manhattan, catching morning commuters off guard.
Following the shooting, nearby patrol officers responded immediately to emergency calls and arrived on scene at about 6:46 a.m. They found Thompson critically injured with multiple gunshot wounds. Emergency services quickly transported him to Mount Sinai West, where he was pronounced dead by 7:12 a.m.
The perpetrator fled the scene, heading north into an alley between West 54th and 55th Streets. Kenny noted, “The suspect was last seen heading west on West 55th Street and then north on Avenue of the Americas on an electric bike.” At the crime scene, police found three live 9mm rounds and three discharged shell casings, evidencing the brutal nature of the attack.
This violent incident has sent ripples through the community and the corporate world alike, as Thompson was widely recognized for his leadership at UnitedHealthcare. The act’s seemingly calculated nature has raised questions about the motives behind targeting a high-profile corporate figure just before a major business event.
As the investigation continues, law enforcement is meticulously gathering evidence and calling for witnesses to come forward to aid in the quick apprehension of the suspect. The community remains on high alert, hopeful for a swift resolution to this tragic case that has stirred both outrage and profound sorrow amongst New Yorkers and the business community worldwide.