UnitedHealthcare CEO fatally shot in New York City

The CEO of UnitedHealthcare, one of the the US’s largest health insurers, was reportedly fatally shot in the chest on Wednesday in midtown Manhattan, according to multiple reports.

Brian Thompson, 50, was reportedly shot outside the Hilton Hotel at 1335 Avenue of the Americas just after 6.45am after arriving early for the annual UnitedHealthcare investor conference. A man wearing a mask approached him and fired at him repeatedly, according to the New York Post.

When police arrived, the victim was unconscious with a gunshot wound to his chest, police told the Guardian. He was rushed to Mount Sinai hospital in critical condition, where he was later pronounced dead.

Police told the New York Times that they believe that Thompson was targeted in the attack. The outlet also noted that the gunman reportedly knew which door Thompson was going to enter and shot him several times from mere feet away, then fled.

UnitedHealthcare did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Guardian.

The UnitedHealth Group was scheduled to host its annual investor conference for analysts and institutional investors in New York City on Wednesday, beginning at 8.00am local time.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the New York Hilton Midtown told the Guardian: “We are deeply saddened by this morning’s events in the area and our thoughts are with all affected by the tragedy” and directed any further questions the New York police department.

Officials have said that no arrests have been made yet and that the investigation is ongoing.

Police are searching for the gunman, who fled the scene on foot before jumping on a bicycle and pedaling away, according to the New York Times. Witnesses have said that the gunman was reportedly wearing a cream-colored jacket, a black face mask and a gray backpack, but other witnesses have said he was wearing all black.

Police are offering $10,000 to anyone with information regarding Thompson’s death, as they stated on a newly released flyer with two surveillance photos. The flyer shows one photo of a gunman, all in black with a grey backpack, holding a firearm, and another of the gunman on a bicycle.

Amar Abdelmula, a driver who witnessed the incident, told ABC News he heard “the shot” adding: “It was silent gun, black gun”. He said he saw the shooter running across the street and tried to take a picture but he was too far away.

“I was shocked,” Abdelmula said. He said he was afraid of being shot too, adding: “I saw everything.”

Speaking about the shooting, the New York City mayor, Eric Adams, said it did not appear to be a random attack and that police were reviewing evidence from the scene, including video.

“This was not what appears to be a just random act of violence” Adams said, according to the Associated Press. “It seems to be clearly targeted by an individual and we will apprehend that individual.”

Thompson was named chief executive officer for UnitedHealthcare in April 2021, according to the company. Prior to this role, he served as CEO of UnitedHealthcare government programs including medicare and retirement and community and state. Before leading government programs, Thompson served as CEO of UnitedHealthcare medicare and retirement.

Thompson, who lives in Minnesota, joined UnitedHealth Group in 2004.

Tim Walz, the governor of Minnesota, called the shooting “horrifying news and a terrible loss for the business and health care community in Minnesota” in a statement on Wednesday.

“Minnesota is sending our prayers to Brian’s family and the UnitedHealthcare team” Walz added.

The US senator from Minnesota Amy Klobuchar said in a statement that this was a “horrifying and shocking act of violence” adding “my thoughts are with Brian Thompson’s family and loved ones and all those working at United Healthcare in Minnesota”.

Brian Thompson’s sister-in-law Elena Reveiz told the New York Times this morning that she was still processing the news of Thompson’s death.