UnitedHealth CEO Shot Dead in Targeted Attack Outside Midtown Hotel

Brian Thompson, 50, the CEO of United Health Group’s insurance division, was fatally shot early Wednesday morning in what police described as a “brazen, targeted” attack.

The shooting occurred at approximately 6:46 a.m. outside the Hilton Hotel on Sixth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, where the company was hosting its annual investors’ conference.

According to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, the masked gunman appeared to have been lying in wait outside the hotel. Surveillance footage shows the suspect, a white male wearing a dark jacket, black face mask, and black-and-white sneakers, emerging from behind a car to confront Thompson as he approached the building. Witnesses reported the shooter ignored other pedestrians, targeting only Thompson.

Police at the scene of the shooting outside a Hilton hotel in Midtown. Billy Becerra/NYPost

The gunman fired multiple shots, hitting Thompson in the back and right calf. The weapon briefly malfunctioned, but the shooter quickly cleared it and resumed firing, displaying what police described as significant firearm proficiency. First responders attempted CPR at the scene, but Thompson was pronounced dead at Roosevelt Hospital at 7:12 a.m.

The suspect fled on foot before hopping onto an electric Citi Bike, last seen heading into Central Park. Investigators are working with Citi Bike to trace the GPS signal from the bike used in the escape.

Police recovered three discharged 9mm shell casings and three live rounds at the scene. The NYPD and CrimeStoppers have offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to the suspect’s capture, though the motive remains unclear.

Thompson had been staying at a nearby Marriott hotel, sources said and was walking to the investors’ conference when the attack occurred. His wife, Paulette Thompson, told NBC News the family had received threats, though she did not specify the nature of these incidents. “There had been some threats,” she said. “I just know that he said some people had threatened him.”

The incident has shocked both New York City and the business community. Colleagues and investors attending the conference described Thompson as a respected leader and admired figure. The event was cancelled after the shooting, with UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty issuing a statement citing a “dire medical situation” involving a team member.

Thompson, who joined UnitedHealth more than 20 years ago, became CEO of the insurance division in 2021. He was instrumental in expanding the company’s Medicare and retirement programs. Witty had previously praised Thompson’s leadership, calling him uniquely suited to help improve healthcare services across the United States.

Brian Thompson, 50, was at the hotel around 6:46 a.m. UnitedHealth Group

The daylight attack has prompted a citywide search, with detectives investigating Thompson’s professional and personal life for potential leads. NYPD Chief of Detectives Joe Kenny confirmed that investigators are analysing surveillance footage, social media activity, and prior threats. Officials have also contacted law enforcement agencies in Minnesota, where Thompson and his family resided.

According to officials, the suspect was last seen entering Central Park.

Mayor Eric Adams assured the public that the attack was not random but a deliberate, targeted act. “It appears as though this was a targeted murder,” he said, vowing that authorities would apprehend the suspect. Despite the shooting’s proximity to one of New York City’s busiest areas and the Rockefeller Christmas tree lighting ceremony, officials stated the event would proceed as scheduled.

A spilled container at the scene of the shooting Matthew McDermott

Governor Kathy Hochul pledged state resources to assist the investigation, and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz expressed condolences, calling the news “horrifying.”

As law enforcement intensifies efforts to track down the shooter, Thompson’s death leaves behind a legacy in the healthcare industry and a grieving family. He is survived by his wife and two children in Minneapolis. The case has drawn widespread attention as authorities work to uncover the motive behind the high-profile killing.