UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot and killed outside Manhattan’s Hilton Hotel on Wednesday.
The shooting unfolded around 6:45am in Midtown, just hours before New Yorkers gather in the neighborhood for the annual Christmas tree lighting at Rockefeller Center.
Thompson, 50, was fatally shot in the chest in a possibly targeted attack by a masked man, who then fled down 6th Avenue and is being sought by police, sources told the New York Post.
The CEO was rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital in critical condition, and was later pronounced dead.
Thompson, who was named UnitedHealthcare CEO in 2021 and earned a reported $10 million a year, was slated to speak at an investor meeting at the Hilton Hotel soon after the shooting.
According to a release from United Healthcare on Tuesday, Thompson was set to speak about the company’s hugely profitable 2025 financial outlook, including announcing expected revenues upwards of $450 billion.
The suspect was described as a white male wearing a cream-colored jacket, black face mask, black and white sneakers, and a grey backpack.
Witnesses told the Post that the suspected gunman was seen waiting outside the hotel before the shooting, and was not a guest at the hotel.
UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot and killed outside Manhattan’s Hilton Hotel on Wednesday
A huge police presence descended on the scene Wednesday morning. The NYPD has not yet released a motive
A huge police presence descended on the scene Wednesday morning. The NYPD has not yet released a motive.
Officials said hours after the shooting that they have made no arrests and the investigation is ongoing.
This is a developing story and will be updated as information is confirmed.
United is the biggest health insurer by market share in America. The company has been the subject of frequent protests by activists for allegedly systematically denying care for patients.
The company made headlines in February after it was subjected to a cyber-attack which cost $872 million.
