UnitedHealth CEO Brian Thompson, head of insurance division, was tragically shot and killed early Wednesday morning outside a hotel in Midtown Manhattan. Police believe the attack was premeditated, as the gunman appeared to have been waiting for him near the Hilton Hotel on Sixth Avenue. The incident occurred around 6:45 a.m. ET, just ahead of the company’s scheduled investor meeting.
Thompson, 50, was quickly transported to a nearby hospital but succumbed to his injuries. Law enforcement has confirmed that the shooter remains at large, and the investigation is ongoing as authorities work to uncover the motive behind this deliberate act.
“This doesn’t seem to be a random act,” Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch shared during a press conference, pointing to clear evidence that the attack was both planned and intentional. Her tone underscored the gravity of the situation.
The suspect, masked and carrying a gray backpack, fled on foot immediately after the incident. He later hopped on an electric bike and vanished into Central Park, according to the police, leaving investigators working to piece together his movements.
Adding to the tension, the tragic event unfolded mere hours before the city’s beloved Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting—a holiday tradition that attracts thousands in person and millions more watching from home. Despite the shocking crime, officials assured New Yorkers that the celebration would go on, bolstered by increased security to ensure public safety.
Paulette Thompson, Brian Thompson’s wife, shared with NBC News that her husband had mentioned receiving threats but hadn’t provided her with detailed information. “It might’ve been something about coverage issues?” she wondered aloud, suggesting a possible connection to his work in the insurance sector. “He mentioned people who had been making threats, but I don’t have specifics.”
Brian Thompson had served as UnitedHealthcare CEO since April 2021, overseeing the largest health insurance provider in the United States. UnitedHealthcare supports millions of Americans navigating one of the most expensive healthcare systems in the world. His leadership positioned him at the heart of a complex industry, often fraught with high stakes and sensitive dealings.
The company has been struggling with the consequences of a major data breach at its Change Healthcare unit, which supports U.S. health providers. This breach has caused disruptions in patient care and delays in doctor reimbursements for several months.
Intentional Attack: Motive Remains Unknown
The shooter arrived outside the Hilton shortly before Thompson, deliberately bypassing other pedestrians. NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny stated that the gunman targeted Thompson as he walked by and shot him in the back. While it seems Thompson was deliberately chosen, the motive remains unclear. Surveillance footage suggests the gun used might have been equipped with a silencer, though the presence of one hasn’t been confirmed.
At 9 a.m. ET, shortly after the UnitedHealth conference began, CEO Andrew Witty announced its cancellation due to a “very serious medical situation.” Attendees, including Baird analyst Michael Ha, were shaken, confused, and scared, with some in tears in the hotel hallway. Uncertainty lingered as they had no information about the situation, including whether a shooter was inside. Following the event, UnitedHealth removed photos of its leaders from the website.
UnitedHealth CEO Brian Thompson Killed : High-Traffic Tourist Spot
Eli Lilly CEO Dave Ricks expressed shock over the assassination of UnitedHealth’s CEO, Brian Thompson, calling it an attack in broad daylight as Thompson headed to his investor conference. Thompson had been with UnitedHealth for nearly two decades in various roles. In response, the company offered condolences to his family and those close to him.
The police in Maple Grove, Minnesota, where Thompson lived, found no records of threats against him. Similarly, the Minneapolis Police had no related reports. In May, Thompson was named in a lawsuit by a Florida firefighters’ pension fund, which accused him and other executives of selling $120 million worth of shares before the announcement of a Department of Justice antitrust investigation.
The shooting took place at the start of New York’s holiday season, which was expected to draw over 7.5 million tourists, as reported by the city’s tourism bureau.
Heather Higginson, a London visitor staying at the Hilton where the shooting took place, expressed shock at the violence. “That’s not something you expect to hear at Christmas, is it? … It’s very sad,” she remarked.
New York’s murder rate saw an increase following the COVID-19 pandemic, but it has since returned to pre-pandemic levels. As of December 1, there had been 347 homicides in the city, a decrease from 370 during the same period in 2023, according to police data.