UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson fatally shot in New York
The gunman reportedly targeted Thompson, waiting for him as he arrived at an investors' conference in Midtown Manhattan.
UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson
Photo: Courtesy UnitedHealth Group
Walking toward the New York Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan this morning, UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was fatally shot in what law enforcement officers have called a targeted shooting.
Investigators reportedly told CNN the gunman was waiting for about 10 minutes before Thompson's arrival. He opened fire from 20 feet away and fired multiple times, striking the 50-year-old Thompson in the chest and leg.
The New York City Police Department said Thompson was shot around 6:45 a.m. near a Hilton hotel on Sixth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, according to The Wall Street Journal. Police officers found him unconscious. He was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in critical condition and later pronounced dead, according to CNN and WSJ.
No arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing. Police are still searching for the suspect and said they didn't know the suspect's motive, WSJ said.
Various news reports have said the gunman was wearing a mask and that he escaped on bicycle.
Thompson was in New York to attend UnitedHealth Group's annual Investor Conference starting at 8 a.m. UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty came onstage around 9 a.m. to say that the company was "dealing with a very serious medical situation with one of our team members" and would end its live presentation, according to the WSJ.
UnitedHealth has released no comment.
Thompson joined UnitedHealth Group in 2004 and was named chief executive officer for UnitedHealthcare in April 2021.
Prior to this role, he served as CEO of UnitedHealthcare government programs including Medicare and Retirement and Community & State. Before leading government programs, Thompson served as CEO of UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement.
Email the writer: SMorse@himss.org
