NEW YORK (1010 WINS) – UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot and killed outside the New York Hilton Midtown on Wednesday morning by a lone gunman who "specifically targeted" him and then fled into Central Park, police said amid a manhunt for the killer.
Thompson, 50, was shot around 6:45 a.m. as he arrived at the West 54th Street exit of the hotel off Sixth Avenue, according to police, who said officers found him "unconscious and unresponsive" at the scene.
He suffered at least two gunshot wounds to the back and right calf and was rushed in critical condition to Mount Sinai West, where he was pronounced dead, police said.
Photos from the NYPD show the suspect opening fire and fleeing on a bike, as well as standing at a counter around the time of the shooting. A $10,000 reward is being offered for information in the homicide, police said, urging people to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said at a news conference from police headquarters that “every indication is that this was a premeditated, preplanned, targeted attack.”
“Many people passed the suspect, but he appeared to wait for his target,” Tisch said, calling the shooting “brazen,” and echoing earlier statements by Mayor Eric Adams who said preliminary evidence pointed to a "targeted murder."
NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said the gunman waited alongside the hotel building, arriving before Thompson and "lying in wait for several minutes."
“The shooters steps onto the sidewalk from behind a car, he ignores numerous other pedestrians, approaches the victim from behind and shoots him in the back. The shooter then walks towards the victim and continues to shoot,” Kenny said.
After gunning down Thompson, the shooter ran through an alleyway behind the Ziegfeld Ballroom and then to Sixth Avenue, where he hopped on an electric Citi Bike and traveled north on Sixth towards Central Park. The last video police have is of him entering the park via Center Drive at 6:48 a.m.
According to police, the shooter was wearing a black mask, dark coat and gray backpack. He is said to be about 5 feet, 10 inches tall.
Crime scene tape surrounded blood and several evidence markers on West 54th Street as detectives worked into the afternoon. Investigators recovered several 9 mm shell casings from outside the hotel and a cellphone from the alleyway through which the suspect fled.
Police sought to reassure New Yorkers and promised extra security for the tree lighting, which will go on as scheduled at Rockefeller Center on Wednesday night. “We’re encouraging New Yorkers to go about their daily lives and their daily business but to be alert,” NYPD Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey said.
Kenny said a motive is currently unknown but it “does appear the victim was specifically targeted.”
“At this point, we don’t know why,” Kenny said, adding investigators are getting a search warrant for Thompson’s hotel room and working with Citi Bike, which tracks its bikes across the city. They're also working with UnitedHealthcare to see if he’d been the subject of threats in New York or Minnesota, where the company is based and where he lived with his family.
Paulette Thompson told NBC News on Wednesday that "there had been some threats" to her husband before he was shot.
"Basically, I don’t know, a lack of coverage?" she said. "I don’t know details. I just know that he said there were some people that had been threatening him."
Thompson was the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, the health benefits business of UnitedHealth Group, a position he was appointed to in 2021. Sometimes known as "BT," he had been with the company since 2004.
UnitedHealthcare is one of the largest health insurers in the U.S. and was scheduled to have its annual meeting with investors in New York City to update Wall Street on the company's direction and expectations for the coming year, according to a company media advisory. The company ended the conference early in the wake of Thompson's death.
“I’m afraid that we — some of you may know we’re dealing with a very serious medical situation with one of our team members,” a company official told attendees, according to a transcript. “And as a result, I’m afraid we’re going to have to bring to a close the event today. ... I’m sure you’ll understand.”
In a statement Wednesday afternoon, UnitedHealth Group said: “We are deeply saddened and shocked at the passing of our dear friend and colleague Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare. Brian was a highly respected colleague and friend to all who worked with him. We are working closely with the New York Police Department and ask for your patience and understanding during this difficult time. Our hearts go out to Brian’s family and all who were close to him.”
Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement via her press secretary, Avi Small: "Earlier today I was briefed by the Superintendent of the New York State Police on the horrific and targeted shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Manhattan. I directed the State Police to provide NYPD with any necessary assistance with the investigation to ensure the safety of all New Yorkers. Our hearts are with the family and loved ones of Mr. Thompson and we are committed to ensuring the perpetrator is brought to justice."
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, tweeted that the state was “sending our prayers to Brian’s family and the UnitedHealthcare team.”
“This is horrifying news and a terrible loss for the business and health care community in Minnesota,” Walz wrote.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.