Brian Thompson, the 50-year-old CEO of UnitedHealthcare, a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group, was tragically killed on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, in a targeted shooting near his hotel in Manhattan.
Thompson was shot multiple times with a silenced handgun in what police describe as a premeditated attack. He succumbed to his injuries shortly after being rushed to the hospital.
The assailant fled the scene on foot before escaping on an electric bike. Authorities have launched an extensive manhunt and issued a public appeal for information, offering a reward of up to $10,000 for tips leading to the suspect’s capture.
“This attack was planned and targeted,” a spokesperson for the New York Police Department stated. However, the motive remains unclear.
Paulette Thompson, the victim’s wife, reportedly revealed that her husband had previously received threats linked to issues concerning health coverage. She declined to provide further details.
UnitedHealth Group, the parent company of UnitedHealthcare, is the largest health insurer in the world, generating $379.49 billion in revenue in 2023. Thompson’s leadership at the company played a critical role in its continued growth and market dominance.
The high-profile murder has sent shockwaves through the healthcare and corporate sectors, sparking conversations about security concerns for executives in highly scrutinized industries. Investigators are continuing their efforts to unravel the circumstances surrounding the crime.
