A search is underway in New York City for the gunman who shot and killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson early Wednesday morning.
Thompson was shot multiple times at about 6:45 a.m. EST Wednesday outside New York Hilton Midtown, in central Manhattan, where Thompson was slated to attend an annual investors meeting.
New York police commissioner Jessica Tisch said the attack appeared “targeted,” noting on Wednesday that the suspect waited “for several minutes” before spotting Thompson and ignored other pedestrians.
“Every indication is that this was a premeditated, pre-planned, targeted attack,” Tisch said during a briefing. “Many people passed the suspect, but he appeared to wait for his intended target.”
The suspect shot Thompson at least once in the back and once in the right calf, according to New York Police Department Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny. Thompson was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 7:12 a.m.
The shooter ran into an alleyway near the hotel and later got on an e-bike that he took into Central Park, The Associated Press reported. He remains at large.
Police are urging anyone with information to come forward, offering a $10,000 reward.
“The shooter appears to be a light-skinned male. He’s wearing a light brown or cream colored jacket, a black face mask, black-and-white sneakers, and a very distinctive gray backpack,” Kenny said.
The chief detective added that the gunman was “proficient in the use of firearms” because after the gun malfunctioned, he was able to clear a jam and continue firing.
Police recovered three live 9mm rounds and three discharged shell casings from the scene.
A senior New York City law enforcement official briefed on the investigation told NBC News Thursday that the shells found at the scene had the words “deny,” “defend” and “depose” written on them. ABC News first reported on the words.
Thompson’s wife, Paulette Thompson, told NBC that he had previously received threats, though she did not know any specifics. Police said the executive was alone at the time of the shooting.
“Basically, I don’t know, a lack of coverage?” she said, according to the network. “I don’t know details. I just know that he said there were some people that had been threatening him.”
Nathaniel Weixel contributed reporting.
