Manhunt Updates: Clue Found on Bullet Casings in UnitedHealthcare CEO Killing

Police are on the lookout for the gunman who brazenly shot and killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City outside a hotel where the company was hosting an investor conference. Surveillance video showed the masked gunman waiting outside the Hilton hotel in midtown and firing into Thompson’s back as he approached the building early Wednesday morning.

The police reported that the shooter seemed to be skilled in using firearms, even managing to clear a malfunction in the gun before firing again. Investigators are still working to identify and locate the shooter, who was last seen riding an e-bike into Central Park. The discovery of a cellphone and bullet casings with words like “deny,” “defend,” and “depose” at the scene provided crucial evidence for the investigation.

Thompson, who traveled from Minnesota to attend the conference, was the highest-ranking executive at UnitedHealthcare, a prominent insurance provider in the U.S. Details about the shooting, the ongoing investigation, and previous threats against Thompson have come to light as police search for the shooter.

Thompson’s wife revealed that her husband had been the target of threats, though the nature and origin of those threats remained unclear. UnitedHealth Group, the parent company of UnitedHealthcare, was also aware of threatening behavior against its executives. However, local police departments did not have records of any threats against Thompson.

Thompson was a seasoned executive who started at UnitedHealth Group in 2004 and worked his way up to oversee the health insurance unit. Described as a respected colleague and friend, Thompson leaves behind his wife, Paulette Thompson, and two sons. Colleagues and friends mourned his loss, remembering him as a devoted father and a candid leader.

In a separate legal matter, Thompson and other UnitedHealth Group executives were accused of selling millions in company stock in an insider trading lawsuit earlier this year. The City of Hollywood Firefighters’ Pension Fund filed a lawsuit alleging that insiders sold stock before news of a Department of Justice investigation caused the company’s stock to drop. Thompson himself was accused of selling over $15 million in UnitedHealth shares. The lawsuit is ongoing in Minnesota, with calls from politicians to investigate potential insider trading at the company.

UnitedHealth has also faced challenges around antitrust issues, cybersecurity concerns, and recent acquisitions. These developments add complexity to the investigation and raise questions about Thompson’s legacy. Police efforts to apprehend the shooter continue, with a reward offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction. Thompson’s tragic death has shaken the business community and his colleagues.