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In a shocking incident Wednesday morning, UnitedHealth CEO Brian Thompson was fatally shot outside Manhattan’s Hilton hotel in what investigators believe was a premeditated attack.
The 50-year-old healthcare executive arrived for a morning conference when a masked assailant, who appeared to be lying in wait, opened fire, striking Thompson multiple times in the chest, according to New York Post reports.
Despite being rushed to Mt Sinai Hospital, Thompson was pronounced dead shortly after the incident.
Brian Thompson, who was killed by a man wearing a hood and using a suppressed pistol in New York, was set the testify before Congress over United healthcare's hacks as well as their business practices.
— SoulFood66 (@BlackAndNative1) December 4, 2024
Law enforcement is currently searching for the suspect, described as a white male wearing a cream-colored jacket, black and white sneakers, and carrying a grey backpack. Investigators confirmed the shooter was not a hotel guest but had been spotted in the vicinity before the attack.
“When the suspect spotted Thompson, he began to fire from a distance, striking him multiple times,” police sources added.
2. Brian Thompson was shot and it was pre-planned. pic.twitter.com/UDS3HEqCUO
— Agent Applebutt 🦃☃️ (@8102ops) December 4, 2024
Following the shooting, the perpetrator escaped through the Ziegfeld alleyway before fleeing the scene on a bicycle.
Thompson, a two-decade veteran of UnitedHealth, had assumed the role of CEO in 2021. His tenure with the company included serving as the head of government programs, where he oversaw Medicare and Retirement operations.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue their search for the suspect.
