Watch Live: UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson killed in shooting outside Midtown Manhattan hotel
NEW YORK – UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was killed in a shooting Wednesday morning outside a hotel in Midtown Manhattan, the NYPD says.
A spokesperson for UnitedHealthcare told CBS News the shooting took place during the company’s investors conference. It was scheduled to be livestreamed from a hotel ballroom starting at 8 a.m. but has now been canceled.
Police sources said the 50-year-old CEO was shot once in the chest in what appears to be a targeted attack. He was rushed to Mount Sinai West, but did not survive his injuries.
NYPD
A manhunt is now underway for the gunman, who sources say took off wearing a black face mask. CBS News New York’s Marcia Kramer also confirmed a silencer was used in the shooting.
A law enforcement source told CBS News that investigators recovered video of the shooting, and it appears the suspect had been waiting for Thompson beforehand. He was not robbed, and police do not have a motive at this time.
UnitedHealthcare security and investigators are combing through files for any possible previous threats, disgruntled or recently fired employees, according to a law enforcement source.
Meanwhile, police are gathering surveillance video from surrounding buildings and interviewing anyone who may have seen what happened. They will try to track the suspect’s movements using subway cameras and GPS in rideshare vehicles.
Deadly shooting in busy Midtown Manhattan
CBS News New York
The shooting happened shortly before 6:45 a.m. outside the Hilton Midtown hotel on Sixth Avenue near West 54th Street. More than a dozen officers responded and blocked off West 54th Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues for the morning commute.
The hotel is located in a busy area, just blocks away from Rockefeller Center, where the annual tree lighting ceremony will be held Wednesday night.
“We are deeply saddened by this morning’s events in the area and our thoughts are with all affected by the tragedy,” a spokesperson for the hotel said in a statement.
One witness said he was sitting inside his car when he heard a gunshot and saw a man running away with a gun in his hand.
“I was looking at my phone and I hear the shot,” he said. “I was shocked, it’s the first time I’ve ever seen a crime right in front of me. Now I fear he could shoot me too.”
Thompson had been with UnitedHealthcare since 2004 and was named CEO in 2021, according to its website. He was a father of two and an active member of his community.
The company is based in Minnesota, where the governor and other leaders are reacting to news of his death.
“This is horrifying news and a terrible loss for the business and health care community in Minnesota,” Gov. Tim Walz posted on social media. “Minnesota is sending our prayers to Brian’s family and the UnitedHealthcare team.”
A $10,000 reward has been offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the case. The NYPD asks the public to call the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), or 1-888-57-PISTA (74782) for Spanish. You can also submit a tip via their website. All calls are kept confidential.
Stick with CBS News New York for the latest updates on this developing story.
Pat Milton and
contributed to this report.
