Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, was fatally shot in Midtown Manhattan early Wednesday morning while walking toward the New York Hilton Midtown for his company’s annual investor conference. According to emerging media reports, Thompson was fired on from roughly 20 feet away by a masked gunman, who appeared to be waiting for Thompson, and escaped by bicycle.
Law enforcement continued to canvas the area in the shooting’s aftermath; according to The New York Times, police are offering $10,000 to anyone with information about the shooting.
Thompson, 50, was named CEO of UnitedHealthcare—the biggest health insurer in the U.S.—in April 2021 after a long career with the company that began when he joined as a director of corporate development in early 2004.
UnitedHealthcare revealed in October that more than 100 million individuals had their private health information stolen during the ransomware attack on one of its subsidiaries, Change Healthcare, in February, a cyberattack that caused months of unprecedented outages and widespread disruption across the U.S. healthcare sector.
The manager of a parking garage across the street from the hotel told The Tech Spot he was inside the garage office at the time of the shooting and did not hear gunshots.
The suspect shot Thompson with what appeared to be a silencer, according to a law enforcement official.
We are deeply saddened by this morning’s events in the area, and our thoughts are with all affected by the tragedy. Additional questions should be directed to the New York Police Department,” a New York Hilton Midtown general manager told The Tech Spot, noting that Thompson was not a registered guest at the hotel.
Details on the circumstances are not immediately clear, but investigators say it appears to be a targeted shooting. No arrests have been made, and the investigation is ongoing, the NYPD said. Police are expected to provide a briefing on the incident at 11:30 a.m.
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Thompson was named chief executive officer for UnitedHealthcare in April 2021. UnitedHealthcare is part of UnitedHealth Group, America’s largest insurance company and one of the country’s biggest companies, period: UnitedHealth Group is the fourth-largest company in America as ranked by revenue, according to the annual Fortune 500 list.
UnitedHealthcare’s parent company, UnitedHealth Group, abruptly ended its scheduled conference Wednesday morning, citing “a very serious medical situation with one of our team members.
“We are deeply saddened and shocked at the passing of our dear friend and colleague Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare,” a statement from UnitedHealth Group said. “Brian was a highly respected colleague and friend to all who worked with him. We are working closely with the New York Police Department and ask for your patience and understanding during this difficult time. Our hearts go out to Brian’s family and all who were close to him.”
Minnesota Governor and former vice presidential candidate, Tim Walz, called Thompson’s death “a terrible loss for the business and health care community in Minnesota.”
“This is a horrifying and shocking act of violence. My thoughts are with Brian Thompson’s family and loved ones and all those working at United Healthcare in Minnesota,” Senator Amy Klobuchar said in a post on X Wednesday morning.
“I’m horrified by the assassination of my constituent, Brian Thompson, this morning in NYC and have his family in my prayers,” Congressman Dean Phillips, of Minnesota’s 3rd District, wrote.
