Brian Thompson, CEO of UnitedHealthcare and one of the largest health insurance providers in the U.S., was fatally shot outside a Hilton Hotel in Manhattan on Wednesday.
The 50-year-old executive was en route to the company’s annual meeting with Wall Street investors when he was targeted. The incident, which police say was not a random act of violence, was captured by security cameras showing the shooter approaching Thompson from behind and firing multiple shots. The assailant briefly paused to clear a gun jam before fleeing the scene on a bicycle, heading into Central Park; his whereabouts remain unknown.
New York police have deployed drones, helicopters, and search dogs as part of an extensive manhunt for the suspect. While the motive for the killing is still unclear, Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch stated that the assailant appeared to have been waiting for Thompson, suggesting targeted intent. Thompson’s wife, Paulette Thompson, shared with NBC News that her husband had previously mentioned threats from individuals, potentially related to insurance issues, although she did not provide specifics.
Authorities have announced a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction. UnitedHealth Group, where Thompson had worked since 2004 and served as CEO since 2021, is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans in the U.S. and reported 2023 revenues of $371.6 billion. Thompson, a father of two sons, played a significant role in managing health coverage for employers and state programs, including Medicaid.
