The NYPD has launched new pictures displaying the complete face of the suspect within the taking pictures demise of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
That is the primary time the general public has seen pictures of the suspect with out a face masks for the reason that taking pictures that killed Thompson, 50, outdoors a midtown Manhattan resort.
It is not clear the place the pictures have been taken or the timing of the pictures in relation to the taking pictures.
“This does not appear to be a random act of violence; all indications are that it was a premediated, targeted attack. The full investigative efforts of the NYPD are continuing, and we are asking for the public’s help,” the NYPD mentioned in a publish on social media.
A reward of as much as $10,000 is being provided for info that results in an arrest within the case.
NYPD
🚨UPDATE: Under are pictures of an individual of curiosity wished for questioning concerning the Midtown Manhattan murder on Dec. 4. This doesn’t look like a random act of violence; all indications are that it was a premediated, focused assault.
The total investigative efforts of… pic.twitter.com/K3kzC4IbtS
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) December 5, 2024
The seek for the masked gunman has been ongoing for the reason that Wednesday morning taking pictures left Thompson preventing for his life outdoors the New York Hilton Midtown resort forward of a UnitedHealth Group investor assembly.
NYPD police officers mentioned Thompson gave the impression to be focused in a “brazen” and “premeditated” assault.
Dramatic surveillance video obtained by NBC New York seems to point out Thompson strolling down the sidewalk on 54th Avenue in direction of the resort entrance when the gunman comes up behind him and shoots him within the again. Police mentioned the shooter’s gun jammed however he was in a position to clear it a number of instances and shoot Thompson within the entrance earlier than leaving the scene, first on foot after which on an e-bike.
These phrases are within the title of a e book concerning the medical insurance trade that the suspect could have inquired about, based on a regulation enforcement official.
Thompson, 50, had been CEO of UnitedHealthcare since April 2021.
His suspected killer rode an e-bike to Central Park after the taking pictures and was final seen within the space of Middle Drive on Wednesday morning, police mentioned.
Police used drones, helicopters and canines in an intense search, however the killer’s whereabouts remained unknown late into the night time.
New York Metropolis Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch mentioned that whereas investigators had not but established a motive, the taking pictures was no random act of violence.
“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 mentioned.
Police issued a number of surveillance photos of the person, who wore a hooded jacket and a masks that hid most of his face and would not have attracted consideration on a frigid winter day. A few of the pictures have been taken at a Starbucks espresso store shortly earlier than the taking pictures.
The NYPD was in a position to acquire the discarded objects as proof, the official mentioned.
The police division provided a reward of as much as $10,000 for info resulting in an arrest and conviction.
“Brian was a highly respected colleague and friend to all who worked with him,” the insurer’s Minnetonka, Minnesota-based mum or dad firm, UnitedHealth Group Inc., mentioned in a press release. “We’re working carefully with the New York Police Division and ask in your persistence and understanding throughout this tough time.”
Eric Werner, the police chief within the Minneapolis suburb the place Thompson lived, mentioned his division had not obtained any studies of threats towards the chief.
Police initially mentioned the shooter rode into Central Park on a bicycle from town’s bike-share program, CitiBike. However a spokesperson for this system’s operator, Lyft, mentioned police officers knowledgeable the corporate Wednesday afternoon that the bike was not from the CitiBike fleet.
Well being care big UnitedHealth Group was holding its annual assembly with traders to replace Wall Avenue on the corporate’s route and expectations for the approaching 12 months. The corporate ended the convention early within the wake of Thompson’s demise.
Thompson, a father of two sons, had been with the corporate since 2004 and served as CEO for greater than three years.
UnitedHealthcare is the most important supplier of Medicare Benefit plans within the U.S. and manages medical insurance protection for employers and state and federally funded Medicaid applications.
