Brian Thompson, 50, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare was fatally shot Wednesday morning in Midtown Manhattan.
Thompson was arriving on the Hilton lodge round 6:46 a.m. for UnitedHealth Group’s Investor Day, which was being held within the ballroom, the place a masked man ready for him.
“It seems the suspect was mendacity in look ahead to a number of minutes and because the sufferer was strolling to the convention lodge, 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 proper calf,” NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch mentioned in a Wednesday assertion.
Thompson was taken to an area hospital earlier than being pronounced lifeless.
Police sources informed ABC Information late Wednesday that shell casings discovered close to the scene had the phrases, “deny,” “defend,” and “depose” written on them. Authorities didn’t elaborate, although a number of posts on social media recommend it could possibly be in reference to the 2010 e book, “Delay Deny Defend: Why Insurance coverage Firms Do not Pay Claims and What You Can Do About It.”
Thompson’s spouse, Paulette Thompson, mentioned she’s “shattered” by the “mindless killing” in a press release.
“Brian was an extremely loving, beneficiant, gifted man who actually lived life to the fullest and touched so many lives,” she mentioned. “Most significantly, Brian was an extremely loving father to our two sons and can be significantly missed.”
UnitedHealth Group canceled the Investor Day occasion.
“I am afraid that we – a few of it’s possible you’ll know we’re coping with very severe medical state of affairs with considered one of our staff members,” UnitedHealth Group employees mentioned through the investor day, in keeping with a transcript, per CNBC. “And consequently, I am afraid we will need to bring to a standstill the occasion at this time, which I am certain you will perceive.”
UnitedHealth Group, which is UnitedHealthcare’s mother or father firm, is No. 5 within the Fortune 500. Thompson was named CEO in April 2021.
NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny on the press convention that the shooter ignored different folks within the space.
“The shooter steps onto the sidewalk from behind the automotive, he ignores quite a few different pedestrians, approaches the sufferer from behind, and shoots him within the again,” Kenny mentioned. “The shooter then walks towards the sufferer and continues to shoot.”
“From watching the video, it does look like he’s proficient in using firearms,” Kenny added.
The investigation is ongoing and no arrests have been made, per the NYPD.
“We won’t [rest] till we determine and apprehend the shooter on this case,” Tisch mentioned.
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