A Search For the killer of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, who was shot and killed Wednesday morning, is under investigation.
Brian Thompson, 50, was shot outside the Hilton Hotel at 1335 Avenue of the Americas at 6:45 a.m. after arriving early for the company’s annual investor conference. According to CBS News, police said a masked man approached him and shot him repeatedly.
The shooting happened before an investor conference that UnitedHealthcare’s parent company, UnitedHealth Group, was to host at the Hilton on Wednesday, according to a subsidiary spokeswoman.
According to CCTV footage, which has been circulating on social media platforms, the shooter appeared to be a light-skinned male, wearing a light-brown or cream-colored jacket, a black face mask, black and white sneakers and a distinctive gray backpack.
Authorities said the gun appeared to malfunction, and the gunman cleared the jam before firing again and fleeing north in an alley between 54th Street and 55th Street. The shooter then continued walking west on Avenue of the Americas, where he got on an electric city bike and headed north toward Central Park, CBS News reported.
Police say they have recovered three live 9mm rounds and three discharged 9mm shell casings. Officers also recovered a cellphone.
Authorities are also investigating the suspect’s whereabouts.
Surveillance images released by police show the suspect at a Starbucks located two blocks from the incident, moments before the shooting. According to police statements to CBS News, they discovered unspecified “forensic evidence” at the Starbucks location. This NYPD’s Crime Scene Unit is currently testing the recovered items for DNA and fingerprints.
At UnitedHealthcare, investigators and security personnel are examining records to establish possible motives, including any prior threats or connections to disgruntled or terminated employees, according to a law enforcement source. The organization has confirmed its support investigation. Police are reviewing social media content and conducting interviews with employees, family members and associates of Thompson, Kenney said.
