MIDTOWN, Manhattan (PIX11) – The CEO of UnitedHealthcare was killed in a targeted shooting in Midtown Wednesday morning, police said.
Brian Thompson, 50, was shot in the back and leg by a masked gunman just before 7 a.m. in front of a Hilton hotel on 54th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues, according to officials. He was rushed to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The suspect had been waiting for Thompson to arrive at the hotel for an investors meeting, police said. The NYPD is offering up to $10,000 for information that leads to an arrest in the case.
The NYPD offered a $10,000 reward for information in the targeted shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Midtown on Dec. 4, 2024. (credit: PIX11/NYPD)
Police shared surveillance photos of the suspect holding a gun and fleeing the scene on a Citi Bike.
The shooter was “lying in wait” after arriving at the hotel five minutes before Thompson, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. Many people passed the suspect, but he “appeared to wait for his intended target,” Tisch said.
As Thompson arrived at the Hilton, the shooter stepped out from behind a car and fired multiple rounds, striking Thompson in the leg and back. The suspect then ran through an alley, hopped on the Citi Bike, and rode through Central Park on Center Drive.
A video posted to Citizen showed police tape on the Midtown street as police arrived at the scene.
“I hear a shot,” a witness told PIX11 News. “When I look around, I saw a guy with a gun. He shot three times, then he starts running.”
Police shared images of the suspected shooter in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. (NYPD)
Police do not yet know why the Minnesota man was targeted, Kenny said. The NYPD is searching Thompson’s hotel room, Kenny said. One witness was next to Thompson when he was shot, but has not yet been identified by police, Kenny said.
Thompson’s wife, Paulette Thompson, told NBC News he had received “some threats” before the shooting.
“I just know that he said there were some people that had been threatening him,” she told NBC.
Police have not recovered the firearm used in the shooting but did pick up a phone from the alleyway where the suspect fled, according to Kenny.
Given the shooter has not been caught, New Yorkers are advised to “be alert,” but are safe to go about their day-to-day lives, said Chief Jeffrey Maddrey.
A spokesperson for New York Hilton Midtown said the hotel chain is saddened by Thompson’s death.
“We are deeply saddened by this morning’s events in the area and our thoughts are with all affected by the tragedy,” the hotel spokesperson said.
Thompson became CEO of UnitedHealthcare in 2021 after joining UnitedHealth Group in 2004. Before being named CEO, he led government programs for UnitedHealthcare, including Medicare.
He previously worked at PwC.
UnitedHealth Group started its annual Investor Conference at the Hilton hotel at 8 a.m. It was scheduled to run until 11 a.m., but UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty ended the conference early around 9:09 a.m.
“We’re dealing with a very serious… situation,” he said. “We’re going to have to bring to a close the event today… I apologize for bringing things to a close but I hope you’ll understand.”
In a statement, UnitedHealth Group said:
“We are deeply saddened and shocked at the passing of our dear friend and colleague Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare. 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. Our hearts go out to Brian’s family and all who were close to him.”
UnitedHealth Group
Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018. She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here.
