UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson Fatally Shot Outside New York Hilton Hotel

Brian Thompson's death shocked the healthcare sector as the suspect remains unidentified, with police offering a $10,000 reward for information.

By Thea Felicity

Dec 05 2024, 09:36 AM EST

United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson Fatally Shot In Midtown Manhattan — NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 04: Police place bullet casing markers outside of a Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan where United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson was fatally shot on December 04, 2024 in New York City. Brian Thompson was shot and killed before 7:00 AM this morning outside the Hilton Hotel, just before he was set to attend the company's annual investors' meeting. Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Yesterday evening, UnitedHealthcare CEO, Brian Thompson, a recent victim of a targeted attack as he was found killed outside the Hilton Hotel in Manhattan.

Officials from the New York Police Department (NYPD) detailed that the attack was also premeditated, with the gunman approaching Thompson from behind as he was headed to the UnitedHealth Group investor event.

The CEO was shot multiple times, but the attacker was armed with a silencer firearm but this is not confirmed yet, per CNBC. He was taken to the hospital as quickly as possible but was declared dead a short while after. The health and corporate sectors are left shocked by the sad news of his death.

This incident was not a spree of violence, as claimed by NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch. In any case, he was said to be getting threats but it is unknown. Surveillance footage depicts that the gunman waited for Thompson prior to firing several shots to which Thompson received shots at the back and leg. The suspect went on foot after the attack but fled away riding an e-bike toward Central Park as he continued.

Police currently do not have anyone arrested, although they have increased the reward for information up to $10,000 while still trying to identify the suspect.

Impact on UnitedHealthcare

The death has sent shockwaves through UnitedHealthcare, for which he was CEO since April 2021. His leadership saw UnitedHealth Group's UnitedHealthcare grow to the largest private health insurer in the country, with $281+ billion in revenues for the 2023 period, according to CBS News.

While Thompson's tenure at UnitedHealthcare was marked by efforts to improve healthcare services, his career is not without controversy. In May, he, along with other executives, received a lawsuit over insider trading where they allegedly secretly sold $120 million worth of UnitedHealth Group's stock before news of an antitrust inquiry into the company's plans became public.

UnitedHealth expressed its deep sorrow, calling Thompson a "highly respected colleague and friend."

Governors Kathy Hochul of New York and Tim Walz of Minnesota extended their condolences. Hochul asked state police to support the NYPD with their investigation. Many were wondering why such a deliberate act was committed, as Thompson was a high-profile figure in healthcare.