Authorities in New York are conducting an extensive search for the killer who fatally shot the CEO of a major U.S. insurance company outside a Manhattan hotel. Police described the incident as a “brazen, targeted attack.”
Brian Thompson, the 50-year-old chief executive of UnitedHealthcare, was shot in the back and leg early Wednesday morning near the entrance of the New York Hilton Midtown, according to officials at a press briefing.
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch stated that the incident “does not appear to be a random act of violence.”
Surveillance footage reportedly shows the suspect waiting for several minutes before Thompson arrived at the hotel doors. Officials noted that Thompson, who appeared to be without a security team, was walking across the street from his hotel and was approached by the suspect, who then fled the scene on an electric rental bicycle. The suspect was last seen heading toward Central Park. Thompson was shot as the company’s investor presentations were underway – with news breaking to investors via phone messages during the meeting. Paulette Thompson, his wife, told NBC that he had received threats recently.
Authorities have announced a $10,000 reward for any information leading to the suspect's capture.
In response to the attack, New York police have promised heightened security in areas expected to attract large crowds, including the annual Christmas tree lighting at Rockefeller Center scheduled for Wednesday evening.
UnitedHealthcare has not yet provided a statement regarding the incident.
Brian Thompson’s professional journey spanned over two decades, including significant contributions and leadership in the healthcare and financial industries. He served as the Chief Executive Officer of UnitedHealthcare, a position he assumed in April 2021. Under his leadership, the organization, which employs nearly 140,000 people worldwide, continued to thrive as part of UnitedHealth Group, one of the largest companies in the U.S., ranked sixth on the Fortune 500 list.
Before stepping into the role, Thompson held several positions within UnitedHealthcare. From July 2019 to April 2021, he led the organization’s government programs division as CEO. This role saw him overseeing Medicare & Retirement, a business dedicated to improving the health and well-being of seniors and Medicare beneficiaries, and Community & State, which serves Medicaid members across 31 states and Washington, D.C.
Earlier, from 2017 to 2021, Thompson was the CEO of UnitedHealthcare’s Medicare & Retirement segment, the largest revenue-generating business within UnitedHealth Group. Under his stewardship, the division served nearly 13 million members through various health services, including Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, and standalone Part D drug plans, reaching one in five seniors in the United States.
Thompson had financial experience as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for several divisions within UnitedHealthcare. Between 2013 and 2017, he served as CFO for Medicare & Retirement, overseeing a business serving one-fifth of the U.S. Medicare population. Before that, he was CFO for UnitedHealthcare’s Employer & Individual division from 2011 to 2013, managing health benefit plans for diverse groups ranging from individuals to large employers. From 2010 to 2011, he was CFO of UnitedHealthcare Community & State, which at the time managed a $12 billion Medicaid business covering millions of adults and children.
His earlier roles include serving as Vice President and Financial Controller, where he managed financial accounting and acquisitions, integrating multiple standalone companies into UnitedHealthcare’s operations. As Director of Corporate Development from 2004 to 2008, he was instrumental in driving over $20 billion in mergers and acquisitions for UnitedHealth Group.
Before joining UnitedHealth Group, Thompson worked at PwC for nearly seven years, where he honed his expertise in transaction advisory services and audit, supporting both domestic and international clients across various industries.
Flags at the company’s Minnessota campus have been lowered to half mast. Andrew Witty, CEO of UnitedHealthcare’s parent company, has sent a video message to employees saying, “Brian was a truly extraordinary person who touched the lives of countless people throughout our organization and far beyond. It’s a terrible tragedy.”
Witty also said Thompson was survived by his mother, wife, two sons and brother.
