UnitedHealthcare CEO fatally shot outside Manhattan hotel in ‘targeted’ attack, suspect at large

NEW YORK, N.Y. – The New York City Police Department asked for the public’s help in apprehending the unidentified gunman who allegedly shot and killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside the Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan early Wednesday morning. 

The Hilton Hotel was hosting the UnitedHealthcare annual investors meeting, and police said Thompson had been in town from Minnesota since Monday. 

“It appears the suspect was lying in wait for several minutes, and as the victim was walking to the conference hotel, the suspect approached from behind and fired several rounds, striking the victim at least once in the back and at least once in the right calf,” NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said at a press conference. “Many people passed the suspect, but he appeared to wait for his intended target. The suspect fled first on foot, then on an e-bike, and was last seen in Central Park on Center Drive.” 

The shooting came as tourists flock to the annual Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting, which will take place just blocks away from the scene later Wednesday night. 

A manhunt is underway as the suspect remains at-large. 

“I want to be clear at this time, every indication is that this was a premeditated, pre-planned and targeted attack,” Tisch said. “Millions of people will be enjoying the tree lighting tonight, among other holiday events, and the NYPD will be out there with them, keeping them safe.” 

Sources told Fox News that Thompson was shot in the chest and leg shortly before his UnitedHealthcare annual investors meeting. The sources said the shooting was not a random incident. 

HACKERS BEHIND UNITEDHEALTH GROUP CYBERATTACK REPORTEDLY IDENTIFIED

He is survived by his wife Paulette ‘Pauley’ Thompson, 51, and their two children. They lived together in the family’s $1.5 million home in Maple Grove, Minn., according to the Daily Mail. 

The UnitedHealth Group issued a statement confirming Thompson’s death. 

“We are deeply saddened and shocked at the passing of our dear friend and colleague Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare. 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.”

The NYPD is offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest. Two surveillance photos released by the department show the perpetrator with a hooded sweatshirt hiding his face, pointing a gun in front of the hotel and then fleeing on a bicycle.

NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny described the shooter as “a light-skinned male” wearing a “light brown wool cream-colored jacket, a black face mask, black and white sneakers, and a very distinctive gray backpack.” 

“The shooter steps on to the sidewalk from behind a car. He ignores numerous other pedestrians, approaches the victim from behind and shoots him in the back,” Kenny said. “The shooter then walks toward the victim and continues to shoot. It appears that the gun malfunctions as he clears the jam and begins to fire again.” 

Surveillance footage shows the alleged suspect wanted for the shooting death of UnitedHealth CEO Brian Thompson in Midtown Manhattan fleeing the scene on a bicycle on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. (NYPD )

“The motive for this murder currently is unknown, but based on the evidence we have so far, it does appear that the victim was specifically targeted. But at this point, we do not know why. This does not appear to be a random act of violence,” he added.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the former Democratic vice presidential candidate, reacted to news of Thompson’s killing, decrying the shooting as “horrifying news and a terrible loss for the business and health care community in Minnesota,” according to the New York Times. 

GRAPHIC WARNING: 

Earlier, before identifying Thompson as the victim, the NYPD told Fox News Digital that a 50-year-old man was shot in the chest outside the Hilton Hotel on 6th Ave. at approximately 6:46 a.m. and was transported to Mt. Sinai West hospital, where he was pronounced deceased. No arrests had been made, and the investigation is ongoing, a police spokesperson said. 

News cameras captured video of NYPD officers working to revive Thompson on the sidewalk outside the Hilton before he was transported to the hospital.  

Several witnesses claimed to FOX 5 New York that the suspect appeared to have been lying in wait, potentially overnight, outside the hotel, possibly targeting the victim.

The CEO of UnitedHealthcare was shot and killed in NYC, sources say.  (Fox News Digital/ UnitedHealthcare / Fox News)

The New York Post first identified Thompson as the shooting victim. 

Thompson’s sister, Elena Reveiz, told The Times via a phone interview that she was still processing hearing that her brother had been killed. 

“He was a good person, and I am so sad,” Reveiz reportedly said, adding that Thompson was a loving father to his two children. 

According to ABC News, police say the shooter was wearing a ski mask and fled down an alleyway near West 55th St. 

The suspect is described as a skinny man, standing at about 6-foot-1 and wearing all black. 

This 2017 file photo of Brian Thompson was released via Businesswire when he was named Chief Executive Officer of UnitedHealthcare Unit in 2017. (Businesswire / Fox News)

GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE

UnitedHealth Group – the parent company to UnitedHealthcare – is the largest health insurance company by market share, according to the American Medical Association.