UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was fatally shot on the morning of December 4 in Midtown Manhattan in what police describe as a deliberate and targeted attack. The assailant, a masked man, remains at large despite an intense citywide manhunt.
The shooting occurred outside the Hilton Hotel on Sixth Avenue, where Thompson, 50, was scheduled to host an investor conference. Security footage shows the gunman waiting for Thompson to pass before firing multiple shots at his back. Investigators recovered three live rounds and three discharged 9mm shell casings at the scene.
Authorities believe the words “deny,” “depose,” and “defend,” written on the bullets in marker, could reference a 2010 book critical of the insurance industry, Delay, Deny, Defend: Why Insurance Companies Don’t Pay Claims and What You Can Do About It. The connection, alongside the shooter’s apparent professionalism and motive targeting the health insurance sector, is under investigation.
The attacker, who wore a black face mask, distinctive sneakers, and a grey backpack, was seen arriving at the location minutes before the shooting. The NYPD stated that the gunman’s pistol jammed during the attack, but he quickly fixed it and resumed firing.
Investigations reveal the shooter arrived in New York on November 24 via a Greyhound bus from Atlanta, Georgia. He initially checked into the HI New York City Hostel and later stayed at the Hilton Hotel. Surveillance footage captured him unmasked while flirting with a hostel receptionist days before the attack.
Additional evidence, including a protein bar wrapper and water bottle linked to the gunman, was recovered near the crime scene and sent for fingerprint analysis. Police are also exploring whether a pre-positioned bicycle was part of his escape plan.
Brian Thompson led UnitedHealthcare’s insurance unit, which provides health coverage to over 49 million Americans. A key figure in the industry, Thompson oversaw a division generating $281 billion annually. He had worked with UnitedHealth for two decades and became CEO in 2021, earning $10.2 million annually.
The attack has raised concerns about the safety of executives in the health insurance sector, prompting companies to reassess security measures.
While authorities continue their search for the shooter, the motive remains unclear, though the attack underscores growing tensions surrounding the insurance industry.
