New York City is on edge after the brazen daylight assassination of Brian Thompson, the CEO of unitedhealth’s insurance unit, outside a Midtown Manhattan hotel on Wednesday morning. The 50-year-old executive was shot in the back by a masked assailant who had been lying in wait, just moments before the company’s annual investor conference was set to begin at the Hilton on Sixth Avenue.
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch described the attack as “premeditated, pre-planned, and targeted,” emphasizing that this was not a random act of violence. “Every indication is that this was a premeditated, pre-planned, targeted attack,” Tisch stated during a press conference.
Adding a chilling layer to the crime, the words “deny,” “defend,” and “depose” were reportedly carved into the shell casings found at the scene. These words mirror the title of a 2010 book critical of the insurance industry, “Delay, Deny, Defend.”
Security footage captured the chilling moment the gunman, wearing a hooded sweatshirt, balaclava, and carrying a gray backpack, raised his handgun and fired at Thompson’s back. The suspect had arrived at the hotel several minutes before Thompson and waited for him to walk past before opening fire. After the shooting, he fled on foot, then mounted an electric bike and disappeared into Central Park.
Police have released multiple images of the suspect taken from surveillance cameras, including one showing him with the gun raised and pointed at Thompson. Another image captures the suspect fleeing on the bike. Additional photos offer a glimpse of his eyes, brow, and the bridge of his nose as he stood in a cafe, hoping the public can help identify him.
The assassination took place on the same morning as the city’s annual Christmas tree lighting at Rockefeller Centre, just a few blocks away.The event, a televised spectacle that draws massive crowds, proceeded as planned under heightened security.
UnitedHealth, the largest health insurer in the U.S., provides benefits to tens of millions of Americans. Thompson had been the CEO of UnitedHealthcare since April 2021. The company has recently been dealing with the fallout from a major data breach at its Change Healthcare unit, which provides technology for U.S. healthcare providers.This breach has disrupted medical care for patients and reimbursements to doctors for months.
UnitedHealth expressed their condolences in a statement, saying, “Our hearts go out to Brian’s family and all who were close to him.”
As the examination continues, the motive behind this targeted attack remains a mystery, leaving the city and the nation grappling with the shocking loss of a prominent healthcare leader.
A gunman opened fire on a crowded New York City street on Christmas eve, fatally wounding a man and sending holiday shoppers scrambling for safety.The shooting occurred near the iconic Rockefeller Center, a popular tourist destination known for its towering Christmas tree and ice skating rink.
The victim, identified as 48-year-old Timothy C. Thompson of Minnesota, was pronounced dead at the scene. Police have not yet released a motive for the shooting,but they have confirmed that Thompson was an employee of UnitedHealth Group,a major health insurance company headquartered in Minnetonka,Minnesota.
“He was a good guy,a hard worker,” said a colleague of Thompson’s,who wished to remain anonymous. ”We’re all in shock.”
The shooting sent shockwaves through the city, which was gearing up for a bustling holiday season. The incident occurred just as millions of visitors were expected to descend upon New York for the holidays.
“This is a tragedy, especially during this time of year,” said New York city Mayor Eric Adams. “Our hearts go out to the victim’s family and friends.”
Police are currently investigating the incident and are asking anyone with details to come forward. Authorities have not yet released any information about a possible suspect.
The shooting has raised concerns about safety in New York City, notably during the holiday season. Authorities have increased police patrols in tourist areas and are urging residents and visitors to remain vigilant.
Thompson’s death is a stark reminder of the ongoing gun violence epidemic plaguing the United states.The incident has sparked renewed calls for stricter gun control measures.
Police departments in both maple Grove, Minnesota, where Thompson lived, and Minnetonka, where UnitedHealth is based, said they had no record of threats against him. The Minneapolis Police department said there was “no occurrence” of Thompson in its records.
The shooting happened at the outset of New York’s busy holiday season, expected to bring more than 7.5 million visitors to the city, according to a local tourism bureau.
## Exclusive Interview: Security Expert Analyzes Brazen Assassination of UnitedHealth CEO
**World-Today-News.com, New York** – The shocking assassination of Brian Thompson, CEO of UnitedHealth’s insurance unit, outside a Manhattan hotel yesterday has sent shockwaves across the nation. To gain insight into this brazen attack and its potential motivations, we interviewed renowned security expert Dr. Michael Sinclair.
**World Today News:** Dr. Sinclair, the details surrounding Mr. Thompson’s assassination are chilling – a targeted attack carried out in broad daylight. What are yoru initial observations about this case?
**Dr. Sinclair:** This is a disturbing escalation in violence, and several factors make it especially concerning. The level of premeditation, the choice of location and timing, and the chilling message seemingly left at the scene all point toward a carefully planned and potentially politically motivated act.
**World Today News:** police Commissioner Tisch stated that “every indication is that this was a premeditated, pre-planned, targeted attack.” What factors would contribute to such a conclusion?
**Dr. Sinclair:** several things stand out. The fact that the gunman was lying in wait, seemingly aware of Mr. Thompson’s schedule and movements, suggests prior surveillance and planning. The choice of the Hilton Hotel, moments before a major investor conference, further indicates a desire to send a clear message, not just carry out a random act of violence.
**World Today News:** The inscription “deny, defend, depose” on the shell casings is disturbing. Does this point towards a specific motive or group responsible?
**Dr. Sinclair:** Absolutely. The phrase directly mirrors a title of a book critical of the insurance industry. While this doesn’t definitively identify the perpetrator, it strongly suggests someone deeply aggrieved by the industry and potentially driven by a desire to expose perceived wrongdoing or exact revenge.
**World Today News:** Security footage released by the NYPD shows the gunman escaping on an electric bike. What does this say about their modus operandi and likely preparation?
**Dr.Sinclair:** Using an electric bike for a quick getaway demonstrates premeditation and knowledge of urban terrain. The suspect likely chose a method that provided speed and anonymity in a densely populated area. This suggests considerable planning and an understanding of escape routes.
**World Today News:** Given the recent data breach at UnitedHealth’s Change Healthcare unit, could this incident be connected?
**Dr. Sinclair:** It’s certainly a possibility that needs to be thoroughly investigated. the data breach caused important disruptions and anger among patients and healthcare providers. The timing, combined with the message left at the scene, raises the specter of someone seeking retribution for perceived harm inflicted by the breach.
**World Today News:** What steps can be taken to prevent similar targeted attacks in the future, especially for high-profile executives?
**dr. Sinclair:** This tragic event underlines the need for robust security measures.This includes comprehensive threat assessments, vigilant surveillance, close protection details for high-risk individuals, and proactive cooperation with law enforcement agencies.
**world Today News:** Dr.Sinclair, thank you for sharing your expertise and insights into this deeply troubling situation.
**World Today News will continue providing updates on this developing story as more details becomes available.**
