Brian Thompson, the CEO of United Healthcare, was killed by a masked gunman early Wednesday outside a Hilton hotel in Midtown where he was expected to speak to a ballroom full of colleagues, officials said.
Detectives are investigating the possibility that the gunman was lying in wait for Thompson before the shooting.
Thompson, 50, was walking to the Residences Hilton Club on Sixth Ave. near W. 54th St. about 6:45 a.m. when the gunman stormed up and opened fire from about 20 feet away, police sources said.
EMS rushed the victim to Mount Sinai Morningside Hospital, where he died of his wounds.
The gunman ran off and was being sought.
According to preliminary reports, witnesses told police that the gunman, who was dressed in a cream-colored coat, a black sweatshirt, a black facemask, black and white sneakers, and was sporting a backpack, stepped out of an alley before shooting Thompson, who was expected to give a speech at an investor day sponsored by United Healthcare.
After firing at Thompson, the gunman ran through the nearby Ziegfeld Alleyway and jumped on a bicycle to escape, police sources said.
United Healthcare executives tried to go on with their presentation at 9 a.m., but ultimately had to cancel the day’s itinerary, according to Bloomberg News.
“We’re dealing with a very serious medical situation” Chief Executive Officer Andrew Witty told the crowd.
Thompson was made chief executive officer for UnitedHealthcare in April 2021, according to his company biography. Prior to this role, he served as CEO of UnitedHealthcare government programs including Medicare & Retirement and Community & State. Before leading government programs, Thompson served as CEO of UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement.
Cops are working on the theory that the gunman was waiting by the alley for the victim to pass before shooting him.
No arrests have been made.
Detectives were scouring the area looking for surveillance footage that could help them identify the shooter.
Source: Berkshire mont