Health Insurance CEO Shot Dead on NYC Street in Targeted Attack

The CEO of UnitedHealthcare was shot dead in New York City on Wednesday morning outside the company's investor conference in a stunning pre-dawn attack in one of the busiest areas of Manhattan.

Brian Thompson, 50, was fatally shot Wednesday morning around 6:45 a.m. on the street near the Hilton hotel in Midtown, police said. The New York Post first reported that a masked man fired at Thompson and then fled the scene. He was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Thompson was walking toward the Hilton dressed in a suit and tie when he was fired upon by a gunman who appeared to be lying in wait, police said. The suspect fled on foot to a back alley and then hopped on a bicycle in the direction of Central Park.

At a midday press conference from NYPD headquarters, police said they believe the shooting was a premeditated and preplanned targeted attack, and that the suspect appeared to be "proficient with firearms" based on surveillance video that captured the attack. No arrests have been made.

CBS News reported the gunman's firearm had a silencer attached to it.

Joseph Kenny, NYPD chief of detectives, said officers were "not able to make a determination on whether a silencer was used on that glimpse of video."

"We will not rest until we identify and apprehend the shooter in this case," said Jessica Tisch, the NYPD commissioner who was just recently appointed by Mayor Eric Adams. She asked the public for its help and said the reward has been increased to $10,000.

Newsweek reached out to UnitedHealth for comment. The company cancelled its investor day in the wake of the reports of the shooting, CNBC reported.

"I'm afraid that some of you may know we're dealing with a very serious medical situation with one of our team members, and as a result I'm afraid we're going to have to bring to a close the event today, which I apologize for," UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty said as he hastily ended the event just as it was set to kick off.

"I'm sure you understand. We're going to go offline now from the broadcast. We'll share with you an alternative mechanism to update you. I apologize for bringing things to a close, but I hope you'll understand."

The brazen attack came just as day was breaking in New York City during a busy holiday season, about five blocks away from Rockefeller Center, where the iconic Christmas tree was set to be lit Wednesday evening in an annual televised tradition that brings tens of thousands of spectators to the area.

Officials said the tree lighting would go on with a "massive police presence."

"Upon arrival, officers observed a 50-year-old male unconscious, unresponsive and with a gunshot wound to the chest," police said in an earlier statement.

EMS responded and transported Thompson to Mt. Sinai Hospital. He was in critical condition and then was declared dead at the hospital just after 7 a.m.

The suspect was described as a white male. He was seen wearing a cream-colored jacket, black face mask and black and white sneakers. Officials also say he was carrying a gray backpack.

Thompson was expected to speak at an investor presentation at the Hilton later in the day Wednesday.

Rep. Dean Phillips, Democrat of Minnesota, said in a statement that he was "horrified by the assassination of my constituent." UnitedHealth is headquartered in Minnetonka, just outside Minneapolis.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz called Thompson's death "horrifying news."

Who was Brian Thompson?

Thompson led UnitedHealthcare, the largest private health insurer in the U.S. and a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group. Thompson had held the CEO role since 2021. The Daily Mail reported that he earned $10 million per year.

Thompson had been with UnitedHealth Group since 2004, holding various leadership roles before being appointed CEO of UnitedHealthcare in April 2021, according to the company's website. His tenure included serving as CEO of UnitedHealthcare's government programs, overseeing Medicare & Retirement and Community & State divisions.

In April, Bloomberg reported that Thompson was among a handful of senior executives at the company that sold over $100 million in stock before a federal antitrust investigation into UnitedHealth was made public. The stock sales happened between October 2023 and February of this year.

UnitedHealth reportedly received notice in October that the Department of Justice was investigating whether the company's acquisitions violated federal antitrust laws. The probe was first reported in February, causing UnitedHealth shares to drop on the news.

Thompson's wife, Paulette, told NBC News that "there had been some threats" against her husband. "Basically, I don't know, a lack of coverage?" she told the outlet in brief remarks.

Update 12/4/24 12:15 p.m. ET: This story has been updated with new information throughout.