UnitedHealthcare CEO Shooter Lookalike Contest Hosted In New York | Watch

A disturbing event unfolded in New York City on Saturday, as a lookalike contest for the suspect in the brutal killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson earlier this week took place in Washington Square Park. Several attendees of the eerie event were dressed in clothing similar to that worn by the suspect, who is still at large. Online responses to the incident have been diverse, ranging from horror to excitement, highlighting how divisive the case is.

One of the contest’s more contentious incidents had a participant wearing a shirt that said, “Deny, Defend, Depose.” The ammunition casings of the bullets used in Thompson’s murder are said to have these phrases engraved on them. Given the circumstances, the unnerving competition—which is in bad taste for many—is not wholly unexpected. Among certain individuals, especially those who harbor resentment toward insurance firms, the murder of Thompson, a well-known CEO, has sparked intense reactions.

Thompson was reportedly shot by the unnamed suspect earlier this week outside his hotel in a heartless assault. Although the murderer has not yet been caught by the police, internet detectives think they have located the suspect’s jacket, which is now for sale online. Once worn by the culprit, the jacket has become more and more fashionable in gloomy fashion circles. The item’s increasing online sales have brought attention to the alarming tendency of the crime being commodified.

The New York Police Department (NYPD) is still looking into the murder in the interim. Investigators are looking into the likelihood that the perpetrator utilized a veterinarian gun, which is a heavier handgun commonly seen on ranches and farms. This possible weapon hasn’t been found yet, though. In Central Park, investigators did discover a backpack they thought belonged to the suspect. Although it is advertised for casual use, the backpack, known as an Everyday Backpack from Peak Designs, is made for photographers. Since its discovery, more inquiries have been made into the suspect’s pre-crime activities and motivations.