UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson is Killed by Masked Gunman: Live Updates

UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was fatally shot in Manhattan early Wednesday morning in what police says appears to be a "brazen, targeted attack" on the insurance CEO.

A masked gunman was "lying in wait" outside the New York Hilton Midtown hotel in Manhattan just before 6:45 a.m. on Wednesday, police say. When Thompson, 50, appeared outside the hotel, possibly to help set up for an investors' conference scheduled for today, the gunman fired at least three rounds at the executive, hitting him in the back and leg.

The gunman fled the scene. Thompson, meanwhile, was transported to Roosevelt Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 7:12 a.m.

“At this time, every indication is that this was a premeditated, preplanned, targeted attack," said Joseph Kenny, the NYPD's Chief of Detectives.

Gunman Appears to be 'Proficient' With Firearms: Police

The gunman who killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson appears to have been "proficient" in the use of firearms, police say, though they cannot say with certainty if he was a professional hitman.

The 9mm handgun he used to shoot Thompson jammed, but the gunman was able to "clear the malfunctions pretty quickly," suggesting he is familiar with firearms, said NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Ken -

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman Says Arrival of AI,...

ny.Police have not yet identified a motive for the shooting, thoughThompson's wife Paulette told NBC Newshe had recently been receiving threats.

Investigators are interviewing Thompson's employees and family members in Minnesota, and the NYPD has executed a search warrant on his hotel room.

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Will Go on as Normal, Police Say

Tonight's Christmas Tree lighting at Rockefeller Center is expected to go on as normal after the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson a few blocks away. Police say they will have a heavy presence in the area.

"This incident will not affect the tree lighting," said NYPD Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey, who noted the ceremony will start at 7 p.m. and the lighting at 10 p.m. "We will have a massive police presence out there around Rockefeller Center, from 52nd Street all the way down to 47th Street."

Police presence will be beefed up on the subway as well. "This is a terrible event, but we're going to go on, and people are going to enjoy the tree lighting tonight," said Maddrey.

The suspect was last seen fleeing on an electric Citi Bike into Central Park, which is in the opposite direction of Rockefeller Center.

Related Articles

Follow Us

TV Review : ‘Squid Game’ Sea,...