The hunt for the audacious killer of United Healthcare’s CEO, Brian Thompson, is reportedly tightening according to New York City’s Mayor, Eric Adams. This manhunt, currently in its fourth day, is going above and beyond the city limits, hinting towards the possibility of the assassin having left New York City after carrying out the shocking act.
The FBI has now jumped into the investigation and has added $50,000 to the reward intended for any information on an ‘unknown suspect’ spotted in earlier circulated pictures. It was a Wednesday morning when Thompson’s murderer, his face concealed, lingered outside a Hilton hotel. The hotel was the venue where 50-year-old Thompson was scheduled to deliver a talk at an investment conference.
In the sequence of events captured by the surveillance cameras, the assailant shot at Thompson multiple times from close quarters from behind as the latter showed up around 6:45 a.m. However, officials have stayed tight-lipped on the current status of the suspect’s identification.
This horrifying incident triggered a considerable search operation with a total reward of $60,000 being announced for any information resulting in arrest and conviction. In a strange turn of events, the police came across bullet casings that had the words ‘deny,’ ‘defend,’ and ‘depose’ written on them, as reported by several media outlets. These are phrases typically associated with how health insurance companies handle claims, yet law enforcement has not disclosed any potential motives related to these phrases.
According to a statement from a police commissioner earlier this week, ‘Every hint points towards a deliberate and calculated targeted assault.’ The rather cold-hearted crime led to an outpouring of public indifference and disgruntlement toward the health insurance sector and its decision-making executives who are often seen as profit-driven gatekeepers denying critical care.
On Friday, police discovered a backpack in Central Park bearing similarities to the one seen in the security footage, being carried by the shooter. The specifics of its contents are yet to be revealed as the bag was immediately sent to a laboratory for further examination. It was found near the 65th Street Transverse Bridge, suggesting it could’ve been along the escape route of the murderer.
Authorities released photographs of a ‘person of interest’ this Thursday. The surveillance images display a man donned in a hooded jacket and carrying a black backpack. While this backpack looks different from the grey one carried by the actual shooter and the man in the image has no facial cover-up, the police are leaving no stone unturned.
The extensive city-wide surveillance camera system has been of significant assistance in scrutinizing videos. Police have made a keen observation that the shooter seemed to be ‘competent in handling guns,’ per a senior police official. During the firing, the gunman’s weapon appeared to stutter yet he skillfully managed to rectify the issue and continued his string of shots.
The bold and violent act led to a wave of widespread criticism directed at Thompson’s organization and also at the nation’s health insurance industry, which is often seen as the gatekeeper to the massive $4.5 trillion U.S-backed healthcare system.
Thompson resided in Maple Grove, Minnesota, a town around 15 miles to the northwest of Minneapolis. He is survived by his two sons and wife who is a committed physical therapist with over two decades of experience.
An alum of the University of Iowa, Thompson graduated in 1997 with a Bachelor’s degree in business administration and accounting. In 2004, he commenced his journey with the UnitedHealth Group. Over the next years he made significant progress through the company ranks and served in various departments.
Finally, he arrived at his most recent role, leading the company’s health insurance unit, a testament to his hard work and dedication. On a sorrowful note this Wednesday, the company remembered Thompson as ‘a highly respected colleague and friend who will be greatly missed by everyone who had the privilege to work with him.’
He had just celebrated his first year as CEO in April 2021, setting a difficult precedent for his successor. Despite the tragic circumstances and the sudden void left in the company, it is anticipated that his legacy of competence and leadership will be upheld.
The ongoing investigation and the shocking nature of the incident have shaken the health insurance industry, piquing interest from various societal sectors. The law enforcement authorities are actively searching for leads, offering a significant reward, and diligently putting together the pieces of this ghastly event.
The public, though shocked and full of criticism for the health insurance industry in general, wait in anticipation as developments unfold. While it is tragic for a dedicated professional like Brian Thompson to be lost in such a manner, it has sparked a much-needed debate and introspection around the business ethics and practices of health insurance companies.