The New York City shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson Wednesday is believed to be a preplanned and premeditated, police said Wednesday hours after the attack.
What Happened: Thompson, who was CEO of UnitedHealth Group Inc (NYSE:UNH)’s insurance division UnitedHealthcare, was fatally shot while outside the New York Hilton Midtown hotel in Manhattan, New York, where the company was hosting its investor day.
Police said the shooting appears to be preplanned and premeditated with the shooter, who is still at large, having known which door Thompson was going to enter and waiting for him there.
New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch called Wednesday's shooting a "brazen targeted attack," as reported by the New York Times.
New York Chief of Police Jeffrey Maddrey and Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny also spoke at a Tuesday press conference.
The shooter fled the scene on a bike, police said. Surveillance video shows the shooter leaving of the scene. There is no audio on the surveillance footage. Police are offering a reward up to $10,000 for more information on the case.
Police said they are trying to identify a witness who was near Thompson when the shooting occurred.
Thomspon was getting to the conference early to help set up and he did not travel with security detail, according to police, who added that early findings show he did not typically travel with security.
A cell phone that could belong to the shooter was located in a nearby alley and is undergoing forensics testing. Police also said they have a search warrant and were looking through Thompson's hotel room to try and find more clues.
Kenny said it was too early to answer whether a silencer was used on the weapon in response to a press question Wednesday. The chief of detectives said it's too early to know if the shooter was a professional but surveillance shows he was able to fix a firing malfunction quickly, suggesting proficiencytwith firearms.
Police are interviewing Thompson's coworkers to see if any threats were recently been made against him and also checking social media for more clues.
Thompson, who joined UnitedHealth Group in 2004 and held various positions, arrived in New York Monday ahead of the conference, according to police.
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Statements Pour In: UnitedHealth Group shared a statement on Wednesday's killing shortly before noon ET.
"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," the statement reads.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul called Wednesday's events "horrific" and said state police will help if they are needed for the investigation.
"Our hearts are with the family and loved ones of Mr. Thompson, and we are committed to ensuring the perpetrator is brought to justice," Hochul said, as reported by the New York Times.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams told reporters the shooting was targeted and "does not appear to be a random act of violence.
U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, where UnitedHealth Group is headquartered, said Wednesday's event was "a horrifying and shocking act of violence."
What's Next: Police officials told the public that the event was preplanned and premeditated and encouraged New Yorkers to go on with their daily routines while also reporting any suspicious activity and taking a look at the surveillance footage to help identify the shooter.
Wednesday's shooting occurred the same day as the lighting of the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center, located several blocks away from the crime scene.
The tree lighting, which is set to air as a two-hour special beginning at 8 p.m. ET on Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ:CMCSA)-owned NBC and Peacock, will go on as planned.
"We will have a massive police presence," Maddrey said.
Additional police will be located in subways to help ease the concern of New Yorkers traveling to the tree lighting ceremony, Maddrey added.
New York police are using drones, K9 units and aviation with no expenses spared to "keep New Yorkers safe," Maddrey said.
UNH Price Action: UnitedHealth Group stock is up 1% to $613.66 on Wednesday versus a 52-week trading range of $436.38 to $630.73.
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