December 6, 2024: New York: The New York Police Department has released images of a suspect wanted in connection with the killing of Brian Thompson, a senior executive at UnitedHealth Group. Thompson, 50, was fatally shot outside the New York Hilton Midtown hotel early Wednesday morning, where the company was hosting its investor day.
The suspect, who used a fake New Jersey driver’s license to check into a hostel on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, remains at large. Authorities conducted a search of the hostel and recovered photos of the alleged perpetrator. A cell phone linked to the suspect, found near the crime scene, was identified as a burner phone, complicating efforts to trace his movements.
The Attack
Thompson was ambushed around 6:45 a.m. as he arrived at the Hilton. Video footage shows the attacker waiting for him, shooting him multiple times in the back and leg before fleeing on foot and later escaping on an electric bike toward Central Park. Despite UnitedHealth’s security presence at the event, there were no personnel stationed outside the hotel.
The attack has rattled the corporate world, with UnitedHealth shares falling 5.2% on Thursday, wiping out $29 billion in market value.
Unusual Evidence
Police recovered shell casings at the scene bearing the words “delay” and “depose.” Investigators are examining whether the inscriptions suggest a motive tied to dissatisfaction with health insurers, referencing tactics highlighted in the book Delay, Deny, Defend. However, law enforcement cautioned against jumping to conclusions, suggesting the markings could be a ruse.
Joseph Giacalone, a former NYPD sergeant, called the inscriptions “highly unusual,” adding, “I’ve never seen anything like it in my years of investigations.”
Broader Investigation
The manhunt for the suspect has expanded, employing drones, K-9 units, and advanced surveillance technologies. While facial recognition and DNA analysis have been utilised, they have yet to yield a breakthrough.
Additionally, Thompson’s home in suburban Minneapolis and a neighboring property were targeted by fake bomb threats Wednesday night. The threats, believed to be a swatting hoax, triggered a response from local law enforcement and bomb squads. Authorities found no devices or suspicious items at either location.
Public Reaction and Legacy
Thompson, a 20-year veteran of UnitedHealth, was a key figure in the company, overseeing a division expected to generate $280 billion in revenue this year. A graduate of the University of Iowa and a CPA, he joined UnitedHealth after starting his career at PwC. He leaves behind two sons and a legacy as one of the nation’s top health insurance executives.
The killing has sparked intense online debate, with some users on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit linking the attack to grievances over America’s health care system and insurance practices. Investigators are treating all theories seriously while continuing to explore alternative motives.
Anyone with information about the case is urged to contact the NYPD, which is offering a $10,000 reward for tips leading to the suspect’s identification.
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