UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was fatally shot outside the New York Hilton hotel in midtown Manhattan early Wednesday morning.
Thompson, 51, was on his way to a speaking engagement at the UnitedHealth Group’s investor conference when an unidentified gunman approached him from behind and shot him several times, reported NBC News. Thompson was pronounced dead moments later at a local hospital.
UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty reacted to the news of the shooting.
“A terrible tragedy and I know we are in shock and disbelief,” Witty said, reported CNN. “Brian was a truly extraordinary person who touched the lives of countless people throughout our organization and far beyond.”
Thompson was named the chief executive officer for UnitedHealthcare in April 2021. The company is part of UnitedHealth Group, currently the largest insurance company in the country and the fourth-largest company in America, reported CNN.
New York Police have released a description of the shooter and more information on what occurred, based on video footage of the incident.
“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,” NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said, per CNN.
Kenny said the gunman approached the victim from behind.
“The shooter then walks toward the victim and continues to shoot. It appears the gun malfunctions as he clears the jam and begins to fire again,” Kenny added.
“The motive for this murder is currently unknown but based on the evidence we have so far, it does appear the victim was specifically targeted,” Kenny stated, per NBC. “But at this point, we do not know why.”