All is ready for the New York Police Department as officers work to arrest the suspect in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
The suspect has so far eluded the NYPD, but investigators have been able to put together a rough timeline of events.
Here’s what we know so far.
Brian Thompson, a resident of Minnesota, was in New York City to attend an investor conference, the NYPD said in a news conference on Wednesday. The investor conference was scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. ET.
According to investigators, the shooter reportedly arrived at the location, outside the Hilton Hotel at 1335 Avenue of the Americas, on foot about five minutes before Thompson, who was staying at another hotel across the street.
New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said this “does not appear to be a random act of violence.”
“The victim was in New York City to speak at an investor conference. “It appears the suspect has been waiting for several minutes,” Tesch said.
Based on video footage of the area, police found that at 6:44 a.m., Thompson was walking toward the Hilton from his hotel.
He added: “The shooter climbs onto the sidewalk from behind a car. He ignores several other bystanders, approaches the victim from behind and shoots him in the back,” NYPD Chief of Detectives Joe Kenney told reporters on Wednesday just hours after the shooting. “.
According to police, the shooter’s weapon malfunctioned. He removed the jam and fired again. The suspect shot Thompson at least twice — once in the back and once in the right calf, Tisch said.
This may indicate that the shooter was skilled with firearms, Kenney said.
At 6:46 a.m., patrol officers responded to a 911 call about a person shot in front of the Hilton Hotel. Two minutes later, they found Thompson, 50, lying on the sidewalk with gunshot wounds to the back and leg.
Thompson was taken to Roosevelt Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 7:12 a.m., the NYPD said.
Kenney said the shooter “appears to be a light-skinned man.”
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In video evidence collected by police, he can be seen wearing a light brown or cream-colored jacket, a black face mask, black and white sneakers, and a “very distinctive gray backpack.”
After shooting Thompson, police said the shooter fled on foot northward into the alley between 54thy 55th Streety street.
Once he reached West 55th Street, the shooter continued west on Avenue of the Americas, where he rode a city electric bike and headed north on Avenue of the Americas toward Central Park.
Police last saw the shooter at 6:48 a.m., when he was seen riding a bike in Central Park on Center Drive.
NYPD Photo released They said he was a “person of interest wanted for questioning” on Thursday.
This photo provided by the New York City Police Department shows a man wanted for questioning in connection with the investigation into the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside a Manhattan hotel, Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (New York City Police Department via AP).
“At this time, all indications are that this was a premeditated, pre-planned and targeted attack,” Tesch said.
“Based on the evidence we have so far, it appears the victim was specifically targeted,” Kenney said. “But at this point we don’t know why.”
Police were unable to confirm whether any words were exchanged before the shooting, because the video had no audio.
The NYPD is speaking to Thompson’s co-workers and family members, checking his social media accounts for any specific threats against him and speaking to Minnesota law enforcement.
Multiple American media Citing law enforcement sources They said that the shell casings resulting from the attack had the words “deny,” “defend,” and “isolate” written on them.
Associated Press Citing a law enforcement official in their report Of those details. CBS News Quoting law enforcement officials, ABC News Quoted from police sources NBC News cited “A top New York City law enforcement official has been briefed on the investigation.”
Global News has not independently confirmed these reports.
Those US reports cited sources suggesting that the words could be a possible reference to tactics that critics of insurance companies say those companies use to avoid paying claims, and could indicate a possible motive – although police have not yet commented on any possible motive.
Where did the investigation go?
Police said they are working with the bike rental company to track the bike’s GPS. They are also trying to track down a witness who was standing next to Thompson while he was shot.
A cell phone was found in the alley, and they will process it through forensics to determine if it is connected to the shooting, Kenney said.
Police officers, both uniformed and plainclothes, will be deployed throughout the city.
Tisch said they have increased the reward on the suspect to $10,000 and asked the public to provide any information they may have to NYPD Crime Stoppers by calling 800-577-TIPS.
&Copy 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
