Brian Thompson, a longtime UnitedHealth Group Inc. executive, was fatally shot in midtown Manhattan early Wednesday morning in what authorities described as a targeted attack, igniting a manhunt across the city for the gunman.
Thompson, 50, was shot in the back around 6:45 a.m. outside of the New York Hilton Midtown, where the largest U.S. insurer was hosting its investor day.
Early reports suggest the alleged attacker was waiting for Thompson upon his arrival at the hotel for the investor day. The attacker approached the executive from behind and shot him multiple times before his gun malfunctioned. The shooter fled into an alleyway before hopping onto an electric Citi Bike and riding toward Central Park. A cellphone was recovered in the alleyway, the New York Police Department said.
The suspect remained at large on Wednesday afternoon. Authorities were attempting to use the GPS tracking technology in Citi Bike to follow the bike they believe the suspect used in a manhunt that the NYPD said involved drones, canines and an extensive police deployment in Manhattan.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams sought to assuage people’s nerves, saying the initial police probe revealed “this was not a random act of violence.”
“We want to just really calm New Yorkers, and particularly the business executives,” he said. “This seemed to have been clearly targeted by an individual, and we will apprehend that individual.”
During a press conference Wednesday morning, police said there hadn’t yet been any arrests. Police recovered three live 9-millimeter rounds at the scene and said the attacker’s motive was unknown. He was last seen in Central Park, police said.
NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny responded to questions about the shooter, including whether he used a silencer, which the police couldn’t confirm. “It does seem he’s proficient in the use of firearms as he was able to clear the malfunctions pretty quickly.”
The police said they were also digging into Thompson’s history, including searching his hotel room. “We’re looking at everything. We’re looking at his social media, we’re interviewing employees, we’re interviewing family members, we will be speaking to law enforcement in Minnesota,” Kenny said.
In a phone call with NBC News, his wife said Thompson had been receiving threats.
“Basically, I don’t know, a lack of coverage?” Paulette Thompson said. “I don’t know details. I just know that he said there were some people that had been threatening him.”
Police in Maple Grove, Minnesota, Thompson’s hometown, said there were no police reports on the Thompson residence other than one reported “suspicious activity incident” in 2018 that was cleared with no criminal activity detected.
Thompson arrived in New York on Monday and didn’t travel with a security detail, according to the NYPD.
No UnitedHealth executive receives benefits specifically related to personal security or protection, according to the firm’s 2024 and 2023 proxy statements. That’s in contrast to companies like Meta Platforms Inc. and Alphabet Inc., which have allocated millions of dollars a year to protect their CEOs.
The NYPD said it doesn’t appear that Thompson and his attacker “crossed paths” before Wednesday. Prior to the shooting, police said many people passed the suspect who was waiting on the street for several minutes, appearing to be anticipating Thompson’s arrival. Once Thompson showed up, the suspect approached him from behind and fired several rounds into his back and leg.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch appealed to the public for help, offering $10,000 for any tips. She said the city was increasing security on the streets and that New York’s annual Christmas tree lighting event would go on as planned.
“We are deeply saddened and shocked at the passing of our dear friend and colleague,” UnitedHealth said in a statement. “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.”
Thompson was taken to Mount Sinai West in critical condition, where he was pronounced dead at 7:12 a.m.
The suspect was initially described as a white man wearing a cream-colored coat, black and white sneakers, a gray backpack and a black face mask, according to NYPD, which released photos of the suspect.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul said she directed the state police to provide the NYPD with assistance to “ensure the safety of all New Yorkers,” in a statement. “Our hearts are with the family and loved ones of Mr. Thompson and we are committed to ensuring the perpetrator is brought to justice.”
Veteran Executive
Thompson, who has two sons, went by the nickname “BT.” A 20-year veteran of UnitedHealth, he was one of the company’s most senior executives and regularly presented at investor events and on earnings calls. The insurance unit he oversaw is expected to bring in $280 billion in revenue this year, and is the country’s largest health insurer.In 2021, he took over as CEO of the UnitedHealthcare insurance division after working in finance positions across the business. A certified public accountant, Thompson graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in business in 1997. He worked at PwC in the Twin Cities before joining UnitedHealth.
At the investor day Wednesday morning, UnitedHealth executives continued their presentations until about 9:10 a.m., when the company addressed the crowd.
“We’re dealing with a very serious medical situation,” Chief Executive Officer Andrew Witty said before abruptly halting the event.
About 275 investors attended the conference, which was intended to be a full day of presentations and meetings, according to an analyst who attended the conference who declined to provide his name. He said he was shocked to read about the death online while the conference was ongoing.
It was a similar refrain across the health-care industry.
“It’s shocking, he was assassinated, essentially, in the street going to his investor conference,” Eli Lilly & Co. CEO Dave Ricks said at the NYT DealBook Summit.
Brian Thompson. Courtesy photo