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Manhunt underway after UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson fatally shot in New York City

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Manhunt underway after UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson fatally shot in New York City

NEW YORK — The CEO of UnitedHealthcare, one of the largest insurance providers in the nation, was fatally shot Wednesday morning outside the Hilton hotel in midtown Manhattan in what police said was a “brazen targeted attack.”

Brian Thompson, 50, was shot by a masked gunman at approximately 6:45 a.m. near the hotel on 54th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues, New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch at a press conference Wednesday.

She said it appears the gunman waited for Thompson outside the hotel, where he was set to speak at an investment conference. The shooter stepped behind Thompson and opened fire, striking him in the back and the leg. Thompson was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Police were still searching for the masked suspect. A police poster offering a reward for information about the shooting shows surveillance stills of a man wearing a gray-colored jacket and a black sweater on a bicycle, and another photo of the individual appearing to be pointing a gun.

“Brian was a highly respected colleague and friend to all who worked with him,” UnitedHealth Group, the parent company of United Healthcare, said in a statement. “We are working closely with the New York Police Department and ask for your patience and understanding during this difficult time. Our hearts go out to Brian’s family and all who were close to him.”

UnitedHealth Group was hosting its annual conference for analysts and investors at the hotel on Wednesday. The company ended the event early as news of the shooting began to emerge.

“I’m afraid that some of you may know we’re dealing with a very serious medical situation with one of our team members, and as a result I’m afraid we’re going to have to bring to a close the event today, which I apologize for,” UnitedHealth CEO Andrew Witty said at the conference, STAT News reported.

“I’m sure you understand. We’re going to go offline now from the broadcast,” Witty continued, according to the outlet. “We’ll share with you an alternative mechanism to update you. I apologize for bringing things to a close, but I hope you’ll understand.”

Thompson has worked for health care giant since 2004

UnitedHealth Group, the parent company of UnitedHealthcare, is among the nation’s largest health care companies and provides health insurance, pharmacy benefits and health care services.

Its health insurance unit, UnitedHealthcare, provided coverage for more than 27 million U.S. residents as of Dec. 31, 2023. The company covers another 7.8 million people globally with medical and dental benefits, mostly in Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Peru.

Thompson was named CEO for UnitedHealthcare in April 2021. Before that, he served in several roles within the company, including a stint overseeing UnitedHealthcare government programs and the company’s Medicare and retirement arms, the company website states. He had been with the company since 2004.

Officials express shock, dismay after shooting

Multiple lawmakers from the Minnesota, where UnitedHealthcare is based, took to social media to express grief and dismay in the wake of the fatal shooting.

Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar described the attack in statement on X as “a horrifying and shocking act of violence.”

“My thoughts are with Brian Thompson’s family and loved ones and all those working at United Healthcare in Minnesota,” she said.

U.S. Sen. Tina Smith in a statement on Facebook, which included a link to an article about the fatal shooting, said, “What a horrifying tragedy.”

This is a developing story and will be updated.

Contributing: Ken Alltucker, USA TODAY; Reuters

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