New York City police believe suspect in fatal shooting CEO of United Healthcare Brian Thompson fled the city by bus. The shooting happened Wednesday morning outside a hotel near Radio City Music Hall where Thompson was attending a company conference.
Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenney said police are investigating whether the shooter was an upset employee or a customer.
Video footage allegedly shows the gunman cycling through Central Park after the shooting, then taking a taxi to a bus terminal along routes from New Jersey, Philadelphia, Boston and Washington, D.C. Police have video of him entering the station, but not exiting. The shooter’s backpack was found after an extensive search in Central Park.
Investigators are examining a discarded water bottle and protein bar wrapper for DNA and are trying to get information from a cellphone found on the escape route.
The gunman arrived in New York City by bus from Atlanta on November 24, making several stops along the way. Surveillance footage shows him at various locations in Manhattan in the days leading up to the shooting, paying mostly with cash.
Photos of the suspect taken at a hostel on Manhattan’s Upper West Side have been released. In the photo, he is seen smiling and unmasked. Kenny explained that the suspect flirted with a hostel employee, removing his mask at her request. He apparently used a fake ID and paid cash. Investigators also believe that he had undergone firearms training.
Security video shows the shooter approaching Thompson from behind and firing several shots with a silenced gun. The words “reject,” “save,” and “confiscate” were written on the ammunition. Thompson, a father of two, lived in suburban Minneapolis and had been with UnitedHealthcare since 2004.
United Health Group His investor conference ended abruptly after Thompson’s death. He was killed while on his way to the scene. In a statement, the company said, “While we are heartbroken, we have been touched by the huge outpouring of support.”
United Healthcare provides coverage to more than 49 million Americans. The shooting has raised security concerns throughout the healthcare industry.
