Police in New York City are still looking for the man who shot UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on Wednesday morning before fleeing the scene.
The masked gunman stalked and killed the 50-year-old father-of-two, who was the leader of one of the largest US health insurance companies, on a Manhattan sidewalk. Mr Thompson was walking towards a Hilton hotel in Midtown to attend UnitedHealthcare's annual investor conference when he was fatally shot.
The killing and the shooter 's movements in the minutes before and afterward were captured on security cameras. One video showed the shooter approach Mr Thompson from behind, level his gun and fire several shots, barely pausing to clear a brief gun jam while the dying health executive tumbled to the pavement.
Other security cameras captured the initial stages of the gunman's escape. He was seen fleeing the block across a pedestrian plaza and into an alley, where a phone believed to be linked to the suspect was found, ABC11 reported, citing police sources.
The suspect then fled on a bicycle and was last seen riding into Central Park, where he vanished, minutes after the shooting. Police used drones, helicopters and dogs in an intense search, but the killer's whereabouts are still unknown.
But there is also CCTV footage of the moments before the shooting - with the suspect caught on surveillance video outside Frederick Douglass Houses, a public housing project on the Upper West Side at 5am. He was carrying what appeared to be an e-bike battery.
New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said that while investigators had not yet established a motive, the shooting was no random act of violence. "Many people passed the suspect, but he appeared to wait for his intended target," Tisch said at a news conference on Wednesday.
"From watching the video, it does seem that he's proficient in the use of firearms as he was able to clear the malfunctions pretty quickly," NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said. The suspect wore a hooded jacket and a mask that concealed most of his face - and wouldn't have attracted attention on a frigid winter day.
Some of the photos were taken at a Starbucks coffee shop shortly before the shooting. The police department offered a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction.
"Brian was a highly respected colleague and friend to all who worked with him," UnitedHealth Group Inc said in a statement. "We are working closely with the New York Police Department and ask for your patience and understanding during this difficult time."
Mr Thompson's wife, Paulette Thompson, told NBC News that he told her "there were some people that had been threatening him." She didn't have details but suggested the threats may have involved issues with insurance coverage. Police found three chilling words on shell casings - "deny", "defend" and "depose" - at the scene of the shooting.
Mrs Thompson paid tribute to her husband and described his killing as "senseless", adding that the family has been left "shattered" by his death. The widow said in a statement: "Brian was an incredibly loving, generous, talented man who truly lived life to the fullest and touched so many lives.
"Most importantly, Brian was an incredibly loving father to our two sons and will be greatly missed. We appreciate your well wishes and request complete privacy as our family moves through this difficult time."
