Chilling video captured the moment UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was fatally shot outside a New York hotel early Wednesday morning.
The footage, obtained by NBC News, comes as police search for the suspected shooter, seeking the public’s help in identifying the person behind the killing.
“We will not rest until we identify and apprehend the shooter in this case,” Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said at a news conference. “The women and men of the New York Police Department are extremely proud of the work they do every day and night to reduce crime and violence in our city. At this time, we are asking the public for your help. “
In a speech just hours after the shooting, authorities released images of the suspected shooter and noted that one video gave a detailed look at how the shooting outside the Hilton Midtown hotel unfolded.
They offered up to a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.
Tisch asked anyone with information about the case to call Crimestoppers at 800-577-TIPS.
The footage shows the hooded gunman, who was carrying a backpack, approach Thompson from behind before opening fire. Thompson, 50, is originally from Minnesota but was at the hotel for an investor meeting scheduled for later that morning.
“It appears the suspect had been waiting for several minutes,” Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said at a news conference, adding that “many people passed the suspect, but he appeared to be waiting for his target.”
While earlier reports had raised the possibility that the shooter used a silencer on his gun, police said they could not immediately confirm that based on the footage.
“He stands along the construction line as many other people and pedestrians pass him in the video we see at 6:44 a.m. The victim walks alone toward the Hilton after leaving his hotel on the other side of the street,” said Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny. “We believe the victim was heading to the Hilton Hotel to attend the UnitedHealth Group investor conference that was scheduled to begin at 8 a.m…. The shooter walks on the sidewalk behind the car. He ignores numerous other pedestrians He approaches the victim from behind and shoots him in the back. The shooter then walks towards the victim and continues shooting.
At one point, the gun appeared to malfunction, briefly stopping firing before the shooter continued to open fire, Kenny said.
After several shots were fired, the shooter was seen on video fleeing on foot down an alley before getting on a Citi Bike electric bike and heading toward Central Park.
Thompson was shot at least once in the back and once in the right calf.
He was initially transported to a local hospital in critical condition, but later died from his injuries.
Police said the motive for the shooting remains unclear, but they are working with police in Minnesota, where Thompson lived, to determine whether any threats were made before his killing.
“The motive for this murder is currently unknown, but based on the evidence we have so far, it appears that the victim was specifically targeted,” Kenny said. “But at this point we don’t know why. It doesn’t appear to be a random act of violence.”
His wife, however, told NBC News that Thompson had received several threats before the shooting.
“Brian was a wonderful person with a big heart who lived life to the fullest. He will be greatly missed by everyone. We are heartbroken and completely devastated by this news. He touched so many lives. We ask that everyone respect our privacy during this time,” Paulette Thompson told KARE 11.
Thompson was named CEO of Minnesota-based UnitedHealthcare in April 2021, after previously leading numerous departments within the company, according to his bio on their site.
UnitedHealthcare is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans in the country and also manages health insurance coverage for employers and state and federally funded Medicaid programs. It is the insurance arm of health care giant UnitedHealth Group Inc., also based in Minnesota.
The company was scheduled to hold its annual investor meeting Wednesday morning, according to a company media advisory. It is believed Thompson had arrived early at that meeting to help set up, police said.
“We are deeply saddened and shocked by the passing of our dear friend and colleague Brian Thompson, CEO of UnitedHealthcare,” UnitedHealth Group said in a statement. “Brian was a highly respected colleague and friend to all who worked with him. We work closely with the New York Police Department and ask for your patience and understanding during this difficult time. Our hearts go out to the family of Brian and all his loved ones.
