UnitedHealthcare CEO Shot Dead Outside Hilton Hotel
UnitedHealthcare insurance CEO, Brian Thompson, was fatally shot on Wednesday morning outside the Hilton Hotel, Midtown Manhattan, New York City, United States, in what the police suspect was a targeted attack.
Thompson, 50, who arrived early for a conference, was gunned down by a masked man allegedly waiting for him, leaving him in a critical condition.
The unidentified man fled the scene immediately after the shooting and the police have mounted a manhunt for him.
Thompson was rushed to the Mt. Sinai Hospital where he was later pronounced dead, the police said.
UnitedHealth Group CEO, Andrew Witty, confirmed Thompson’s death in a statement, describing the incident as a devastating loss for the company.
Witty also announced the cancellation of the conference.
“Brian’s leadership, values, and vision were instrumental in advancing UnitedHealthcare’s mission to improve the healthcare system for consumers, providers, and communities,” Witty added.
According to officials, the suspected shooter, a white male, is said to have worn a cream-coloured jacket, black face mask, and black and white sneakers, while carrying a grey backpack.
Police sources revealed that the suspect immediately started firing at Thompson as soon as he spotted him, ensuring he was fatally hurt, before fleeing through the Ziegfeld alleyway using a bike.
Thompson joined UnitedHealth Group in 2004 and became CEO of its insurance division in 2021.
Before that, Thompson who previously worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Minneapolis, led the company’s government programmes, including Medicare and retirement services.
UnitedHealth Group, based in Minnesota, is a Fortune 500 company and one of the largest employers in the United States, with over 100,000 employees nationwide.
New York City police have launched a manhunt for the suspect, urging anyone with information to come forward.
UnitedHealthcare CEO Shot Dead Outside Hilton Hotel is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
