Manhunt for shooter who ‘targeted’ CEO outside Hilton hotel in New York
A split image with the left showing a man in a hooded jacket facing forward and the right showing a man holding a gunImage source, NYPD
Manhattan is the most densely populated of New York City’s five boroughs, and it’s an island with security cameras nearly everywhere you look.
But before sunrise on a cold winter morning, a gunman shot and killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside a Hilton hotel in area known for tourism. The killer calmly walked away, and seemingly vanished.
The suspect was last seen riding an electric bike through Central Park, not long after the brazen attack.
Police say he appeared to have been lying in wait for Thompson, that this was a targeted attack.
Investigators have found some evidence, including bullet casings from the crime scene. A security camera at a nearby Starbucks shows the suspect buying something minutes before the attack took place.
But the gunman’s motive is unknown. Their identity is still a mystery.
We are pausing this live coverage for now, but will be back if there are any major updates.
In the meantime, you can read more about healthcare CEO Brian Thompson here.
What’s happened so far?published at 01:41 Greenwich Mean Timepublished at 02:41
It’s been about 14 hours since the deadly shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson and the manhunt for the suspect is still under way.
Here’s a brief rundown of what has happened today:
Brian Thompson, the head of US insurance company UnitedHealthcare, was shot and killed in New York City about 06:45 local time. The shooting took place outside the Hilton Hotel on Manhattan’s Sixth Avenue, only a few blocks from Times Square
The New York Police Department says the attack was “targeted” and the gunman appeared to have waited for Thompson to appear
The suspect was seen on security camera footage wearing a grey backpack and a black hooded jacket
Video shows him fleeing the scene on foot. He was last spotted in Central Park on an electric bicycle
The suspect was filmed on security cameras at a Starbucks minutes before deadly shooting
Thompson’s co-workers respond to his deathpublished at 01:12 Greenwich Mean Timepublished at 02:12
Several of Brian Thompson’s co-workers at UnitedHealth took to social media to express their condolences after his death.
“This devastating news has sent shockwaves through my body and undoubtedly through the entire community, leaving us with so many unanswered questions,” Antonio Toft posted on LinkedIn. Toft is a vice president at UnitedHealth Group.
Toft, who describes in the post that he worked closely with Thompson on the executive team, said most of his colleagues refer to Thompson as “BT”.
“He was not only a remarkable leader but also a cherished friend and mentor to many of us,” he wrote. “His contributions and dedication to our organization and the broader healthcare community have been immeasurable.”
Monica Lyn, from Virginia, expressed her condolences in a Facebook post to the family “of our UHC CEO”. She posted several photos of Thompson, one featuring her taking a selfie with the healthcare CEO.
“He was such a humble person when we met and will truly be missed,” she wrote.
History of the Hilton Midtown – where the attack unfoldedpublished at 00:46 Greenwich Mean Timepublished at 01:46
The New York Hilton Midtown, where Thompson was shot, has been the scene of many significant moments in US history.
The first handheld cell phone call was made by a guest of the hotel in 1973.
President-elect Donald Trump delivered his victory speech from this hotel in 2016.
The hotel claims to be the location where John Lennon wrote the lyrics to “Imagine”.
The Hilton Midtown has housed several famous guests, from presidents to the Beatles and Elvis Presley.
How the NYC shooting of the UnitedHealthcare CEO unfoldedpublished at 00:10 Greenwich Mean Timepublished at 01:10
This morning, the CEO of America’s largest private health insurer was killed in a shooting outside a hotel in Manhattan, just a few blocks from Times Square.
As police search for the suspect, they’re asking New Yorkers to remain vigilant, and to share any information they might have.
Media caption,
Watch: What we know about the shooting of the UnitedHealthcare CEO
Thompson’s wife: Brian ‘lived life to the fullest’published at 23:45 Greenwich Mean Time 4 Decemberpublished at 00:45
UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson’s wife, Paulette, told MSNBC that there had been threats made against her husband, but said she did not know the details.
Speaking to local New York television station KARE, Paulette said her husband “touched so many lives”.
“Brian was a wonderful person with a big heart, and who lived life to the fullest,” she said.
Prior suspicious incident at Thompson’s home in 2018published at 23:32 Greenwich Mean Time 4 Decemberpublished at 00:32
There was one suspicious incident on file reported to police in 2018 at Brian Thompson’s home in Minnesota, according to the Maple Grove Police Department.
The incident was cleared with no criminal activity detected. Police did not disclose any additional details about the incident.
The New York City Police Department contacted the local Minnesota department to notify Thompson’s family about the homicide, according to a statement from Maple Grove Police.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the Thompson family during this difficult time,” the statement read.
Piecing together clues from the shootingpublished at 23:00 Greenwich Mean Time 4 Decemberpublished at 00:00
Police place bullet casing markers outside of a Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan where United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson was fatally shotImage source, Getty Images
There are several pieces of evidence surrounding the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
Here’s some of the clues law enforcement are investigating to help track down the unidentified suspect:
GPS on a bike: Police say the gunman first fled by foot and then by an electric Citi Bike, which are popular hire bikes with docks peppered across New York City. He was last spotted in Central Park this morning. Police say they are working with the company to identify the bike’s location using its GPS tracker
Cell phone: A cell phone was discovered in an alley along the suspect’s escape route. Police say they are “working through” the phone
Hotel room: Law enforcement say they will search Thompson’s hotel room
Surveillance footage: Video shows the suspect wearing a grey backpack, black hooded jacket and a black balaclava. A photo taken at a nearby Starbucks could show enough of the suspect for police to use facial recognition software
Bullets: A law enforcement source told CBS News three bullets and three casings were found at the crime scene, and will be examined for fingerprints and DNA
These photos could show just enough of suspect for police to use facial recognitionpublished at 22:33 Greenwich Mean Time 4 Decemberpublished at 23:33 4 December
Security camera video of a man in a hoodie with a covering over his faceImage source, NYPD
Let’s take another look at the new photos of the suspect which have been circulated by the New York Police Department.
They show the shooting suspect at a Starbucks just a few blocks uptown from where Brian Thompson was killed.
BBC’s US partner CBS News has spoken with a law enforcement source briefed on the investigation, and they say one of the photos shows enough of the man’s face to run it through facial recognition.
The suspect’s mask is pulled down far enough that his eyes and part of his nose, which the source described as “prominent”, can be seen. Investigators are using computer software to try and find a facial match.
The source also told CBS News that three bullet casings and three live rounds have been found at the crime scene. The live rounds are reportedly from when the gun jammed and the suspect cleared the weapon.
These are all being tested for DNA, in case gloves were not used when the bullets were loaded.
Security camera video of a man in a hoodie with a covering over his faceImage source, NYPD
Thompson’s sister-in-law: ‘We are shattered’published at 22:03 Greenwich Mean Time 4 Decemberpublished at 23:03 4 December
Brian Thompson’s sister-in-law, Maria, just released a statement on behalf of the family.
“We are shattered to hear about the senseless killing of our beloved Brian. Brian was an incredibly loving, generous, talented man who truly lived life to the fullest and touched so many lives,” she wrote.
“Most importantly, Brian was an incredibly loving father to our two sons and will be greatly missed. We appreciate your well wishes and request complete privacy as our family moves through this difficult time,” she added.
Video shows gunman calmly walk up to victim before taking aimpublished at 21:49 Greenwich Mean Time 4 Decemberpublished at 22:49 4 December
Media caption,
Watch: What we know about the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO
Video of the shooting shows the victim walking down the sidewalk wearing a suit.
The gunman then calmly walks up behind the victim. He uses both hands to aim a pistol which appears to have a silencer attached to the barrel.
A witness standing a few meters away sprints in the opposite direction after a shot is fired.
The gun appears to jam during the attack, and the gunman fixes the issue before shooting again.
Police said that based on video evidence, the suspect was “proficient” in using a gun and it was a targeted attack.
Suspect visited Starbucks before shootingpublished at 21:37 Greenwich Mean Time 4 Decemberpublished at 22:37 4 December
A man wears a black sweatshirt with the hood up and a grey backpackImage source, NYPD
New photos show the suspect at a Starbucks coffee shop minutes before the shooting, according to police.
They were taken from surveillance video at the Starbucks on 6th Avenue at West 55th Street. It’s about two blocks uptown from the Hilton, where Brian Thompson was shot and killed.
Police are processing evidence found at the Starbucks for DNA and fingerprints.
First big test for new NYPD commissioner, Jessica Tischpublished at 21:11 Greenwich Mean Time 4 Decemberpublished at 22:11 4 December
Phil McCausland
Reporting from New York City
Jessica Tisch stands next to New York City Mayor Eric Adams after he announces her as the next NYPD commissionerImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Jessica Tisch stands next to New York City Mayor Eric Adams after he announces her as the next NYPD commissioner
The manhunt for the gunman who killed Brian Thompson will be the first big test for Jessica Tisch, who was just appointed commissioner of the NYPD two weeks ago.
Tisch once led the department’s technology division as a deputy commissioner, and she helped created the Domain Awareness System – a key NYPD surveillance tool – that officers will likely rely upon in the ongoing manhunt.
Tisch, the force’s second female commissioner, belongs to a prominent wealthy New York family that owns the multi-billion dollar Loews Corporation. She has held numerous positions in city politics but most recently has run the Sanitation Department since April 2022, earning high marks from Mayor Eric Adams for her efforts to clean the streets and address the city’s rat infestation.
“I need someone who can take the police department into the next century – I need a visionary,” said Adams, who was indicted on federal corruption charges earlier this year.
Tisch, who has never served as a police officer, is the fourth police commissioner under this mayor, who took office in January 2022.
Many hope that she will bring stability to the law enforcement agency, which has recently been rocked by federal investigations that caused one of her predecessors to be reassigned and another, Edward Caban, to resign.
Rockefeller Center tree lighting to go ahead despite manhuntpublished at 21:00 Greenwich Mean Time 4 Decemberpublished at 22:00 4 December
Christmas tree at Rockefeller CenterImage source, Getty Images
While a manhunt for the suspect who killed Thompson continues, the annual lighting of the massive Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center will go ahead on Wednesday evening local time as planned, just a few blocks from where Thompson was shot.
NYPD said there would be a “massive police presence” at the famous plaza for the night’s festivities.
The tree lighting is a fixture of New York City’s holiday season. This year’s tree is 74 feet tall.
The famous tree has featured in Christmas movies Home Alone 2 and Elf as well as multiple TV shows filmed in New York City, and an ice-skating rink below the tree draws holiday crowds every year.
A timeline of events so farpublished at 20:49 Greenwich Mean Time 4 Decemberpublished at 21:49 4 December
A NYPD officer crouches outside the Hilton Hotel where a shooting took place. There is yellow police tape in front of himImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,
New York Police Department responded to a shooting in New York early this morning
As police hunt for the suspect linked to this morning’s shooting in New York, here’s an approximate timeline – in local time – of how events have unfolded so far, according to investigators:
Around 06:40 EST: Suspected gunman arrives outside the Hilton Hotel about five minutes before the victim Brian Thompson
06:44: Thompson walks from his hotel, across the street from the Hilton
Between 06:44and 06:46 Brian Thompson walks in front of the Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan, where he is shot from behind
06:46 Emergency officers respond to a call in which it is reported that a person was shot outside the Hilton Hotel – where they later find Thompson with gunshot wounds to his back and his right leg
06:48 After fleeing the scene, the suspect rides an e-bike into Central Park, according to police, citing surveillance info
07:12 Brian Thompson is pronounced dead at a New York hospital
11:45 The New York Police Department hosts a press conference to give an update on their investigation. They say the suspect remains at large
11:56 NYPD releases the first CCTV photos of the suspect, who they identify as a man who was wearing dark clothing and a grey backpack. He can be seen leaving the scene by bike
A person holds a gun in New York shortly before killing an insurance CEO. He wears a dark hoodie and a grey backpackImage source, NYPD News
Image caption,
Police have appealed for anyone with information on the shooting to get in contact
Suspect fled on bike-rental system, police saypublished at 20:34 Greenwich Mean Time 4 Decemberpublished at 21:34 4 December
New York Citi BikesImage source, Getty Images
Police said the suspect fled on an electric Citi Bike – New York’s bike-rental system – to Central Park.
The system is a public-private partnership between the city’s transportation department and the ride-hailing company Lyft. Riders can unlock bicycles from docking stations throughout the city using their mobile phones, and then re-dock them at their destination.
“As far as where he got that Citi Bike, we’re working that through”, Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny told reporters during a news conference earlier.
He said officers have seen video footage of the suspect from several different locations and sources, including in which he is seen riding the bike.
But, Kenny added, they have not yet seen footage of him beginning his ride.
Kenny said, “there are GPS on those bikes, we’ll be working with the company”.
Lyft spokesperson Eric Smith told the BBC in a statement: “We stand ready to assist law enforcement with this investigation.”
NYPD releases new pictures of suspectpublished at 20:15 Greenwich Mean Time 4 Decemberpublished at 21:15 4 December
The New York Police Department has released new pictures of the suspect in the shooting that killed health insurance provider company executive Brian Thompson.
In the photographs, the person is wearing a black jacket, a black balaclava covering the lower half of their face, and a grey backpack mentioned by police in their briefing and visible in security footage of the incident.
A still from security footage shows a person is wearing a black jacket, a black balaclava covering the lower half of their face, and a grey backpackImage source, NYPD
A still from security footage shows a person is wearing a black jacket, a black balaclava covering the lower half of their face, and a grey backpackImage source, NYPD
A still from security footage shows a person is wearing a black jacket, a black balaclava covering the lower half of their face, and a grey backpackImage source, NYPD
Scene of shooting ‘feels like a zoo’published at 19:41 Greenwich Mean Time 4 Decemberpublished at 20:41 4 December
Thomas Copeland
Reporting from New York City
A large group of New York police officers stand in a group outdoorsImage source, Thomas Copeland / BBC
Here at the Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan, most of 54th Street has been cordoned off by the NYPD since this morning.
The world’s media is here, along with some curious onlookers, pushed up against the police tape trying to find the best shot of the hotel entrance where Thompson was shot.
The overall police presence is pretty light now, just a few vehicles and cops standing about inside the police tape.
I can see police investigators around the entrance to the hotel, right where the shooting happened. They’re carefully measuring out distances, placing small numbered signs on the ground and taking detailed notes on clipboards.
There’s no word yet on when this street will reopen. New York is a fast-moving city, and around here restaurants, businesses and shops are all operating as normal.
Outside a loading dock opposite the hotel, two workers tell me that half of their building has been shut down.
“That means we’ll be off soon,” one says. “This place feels like a zoo!”
What we know about Brian Thompsonpublished at 19:17 Greenwich Mean Time 4 Decemberpublished at 20:17 4 December
Brian Thompson looks into the camera, smiling and wearing a blue collared shirt and sweater, against a white backdrop in a headshotImage source, Handout/EPA-EFE
The man who was shot and killed in a brazen attack outside a Hilton hotel in Manhattan was Brian Thompson.
Thompson became CEO of insurance company UnitedHealthcare in April 2021. His LinkedIn account shows he worked for the company for more than 20 years, joining as director of corporate development in 2004. He earned $10.2m (£8m) working for the company last year.
He graduated from the University of Iowa in 1997 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and accounting, his LinkedIn profile shows.
The 50-year-old was married to Paulette Thompson. They have two sons.
Records show Brian Thompson lived in Maple Grove, a suburb of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
What is UnitedHealthcare?published at 18:48 Greenwich Mean Time 4 Decemberpublished at 19:48 4 December
Natalie Sherman
New York business reporter
Brian Thompson, the man who was shot and killed in New York City today, ran a business that is one of the biggest players in America’s fraught health care industry.
UnitedHealthcare, America’s largest health insurance firm, is a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group, a sprawling operation that runs doctor groups, hospice networks and surgical centres, manages prescription drug benefits programmes, and works closely with government health insurance such as Medicare and Medicaid.
It is regularly accused of refusing to pay for valid medical care, claims that have, in some states, led to legal action and settlements. Regulators have also sued over the firm’s proposed acquisitions, alleging its grip on the industry is too great.
Earlier this year, the firm drew fresh outrage as the target of a paralysing hack, which caused financial turmoil for medical practices across the country and prompted accusations that the company had failed to put adequate cyber security practices in place.
The controversies have not put much of a dent in its business. Ahead of its investor day, the firm was forecasting double digit revenue growth and profits of roughly 10% next year.
