New York police search for person suspected of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO in ‘brazen’ attack

The CEO of UnitedHealthcare, one of the US’s largest health insurers, was shot dead on Wednesday in midtown Manhattan, police confirmed in a press conference.

Brian Thompson, 50, was shot outside the Hilton hotel at 1335 Avenue of the Americas just after 6.45am after arriving early for the company’s annual investor conference. A man wearing a mask approached him and fired at him repeatedly, police said.

Police said they believe Thompson was targeted in the attack. This was a “brazen, targeted attack”, New York’s police commissioner, Jessica Tisch, said, adding that this “does not appear to be a random act of violence”.

“I want to be clear at this time, every indication is that this was a premeditated, pre-planned targeted attack,” she added.

The New York police department chief of detectives, Joseph Kenny, said Thompson was found by police on the sidewalk in front of the Hilton with gunshot wounds to his back and his leg. He was rushed to Mount Sinai hospital in critical condition, and was pronounced dead at 7.12am.

The gunman arrived at the location on foot about five minutes before Thompson’s arrival, police said. From surveillance video, police said Thompson was seen at 6.44am walking alone towards the Hilton.

Police said video showed the gunman appearing to ignore other pedestrians. Officials said he approached Thompson from behind and shot him in the back before moving toward the victim and continuing to shoot.